The Maldives has decided to immediately and unilaterally withdraw from the New7Wonders of Nature scam because of the New7Wonders organiser’s demand for expensive license fees and sponsorship packages in order to compete meaningfully in the remainder of the competition.

“With regret, we are withdrawing from this competition because of the unexpected demands for large sums of money from the New7Wonders organisers. We no longer feel that continued participation in this competition is in the economic interests of the Maldives,” said Thoyyib Mohamed, Minister of State for Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Chairman of the Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC).

The Maldives originally agreed to participate in the New7Wonders of Nature competition in early 2009 and paid a participation administration fee of $199. However, the details of the joint initiatives and escalating costs were not clearly outlined prior to signing. Recently, the New7Wonders organisers have repeatedly asked the Maldives to pay significantly more money, including:

1. A Platinum sponsorship license fee at US $350,000.
2. Two Gold sponsorship license fees at US $210,000 each.
3. The sponsorship of a ‘World Tour’ event, whereby the Maldives would pay for a delegation of people to visit the country, provide hot air balloon rides, press trips, flights, accommodation, communications etc.
4. US $1,000,000 license fee for a national telecom provider to participate in New7Wonders campaign – later reduced to US $500,000 on appeal.
5. US $1,000,000 license fee for a Maldives based airline to display logo on aircraft.

The MMPRC repeatedly asked the New7Wonders organisers if there was a way to stay in the competition without paying significant sums of money. The New7Wonders organisers eventually stated that the Maldives could host a “protocol visit” for a delegation of the New7Wonders organisers, in which the Maldives would incur “flights and logistical costs etc.” The New7Wonders organisers pointed out, however, that “in our previous campaign for the man made Official New7Wonders of the World, all the winners had highly successful World Tour Events” and added “you do need sponsorship to participate fully in initiatives such as the World Tour event visit”

While the Maldives has invested considerable time and effort in campaigning for the New7Wonders of Nature competition, the country has not spent significant sums of money on the campaign. After extensive discussions with tourism industry stakeholders, the Maldives has decided to withdraw from the competition with immediate effect.

The Maldives would like to note the press release from UNESCO dated July 9, 2007 which states: “Although UNESCO was invited to support this (the previous“New7Wonders of the World” competition) project on several occasions, the Organisation decided not to collaborate”

The Maldives further notes concerns raised by lawyers acting for the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism, in regards to Komodo Island’s participation in the New7Wonders of Nature competition.

Finally, the Maldives is perplexed with the recent inconsistent patterns of the rankings of the competitors at this stage of the competition and the lack of detailed information and transparency as to how this is calculated.

Sounds of Maldives is a friendly, nation based traditional music label set in the heart of Maldivian Traditional Music inclusive of modern music trend by Harubee with the aim of promoting the beautiful island world of Maldives through the medium of music around the globe. Over the last two years, Bodu Beru has established a unique atmosphere that has drawn musicians and singers from throughout the country and the tourists to be attracted with the talent and the style performed by Harubee presenting the traditional entertainment of music on various occasions. With this new medium, Sounds of Maldives will be a brand which promotes the destination using the culture and the talent of Maldivian entertainers.

We have a fantastic line up this year as the year of branding and introduction, including the famous artist Unoosha scheduled to introduce her first destination promotion single in English namely, “Maldives”, The Five to perform along with E.Sa, Shamoon, Umar and Mira on this list as guest artist which performs with the full fledged twenty one performers of Harubee as the Sounds of Maldives.

Whilst, Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation onboard as an official partner of this unique event “SOUNDS OF MALDIVES”, the organizer ensures that this is going to be the most festive event to display the culture, heritage and our tradition in relevant with music to the visitors. The event is supported by VTV and Kuda Bandos being the Official Host of the Launching, and supporting partners Liveaboard Association of Maldives, MATATO, Capital Travel, Blue Horizon, Maldives Visiting Guide, VTV and Cruise Maldives.

The event will take place at Kuda Bandos, North Male’ atoll on 19th May 2011 and the tickets of the event will be available for MRF 150 per person at Highrise, Highway, Baywatch, Music World. The ticket price includes return transfers to Kuda Bandos.

More info :

High Rise
Phone : 330 6606 , 330 7898
Fax : 330 6676
Email : events@highriseint.com

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into an agreement with Driftwood Maldives Private Ltd. to manage Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa Island in the Maldives. The hotel will commence operating as Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa on April 1, 2011.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will be the first Hyatt hotel in the Maldives, a chain of 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, located southwest of India, just south of the equator. The first resort in the Maldives to follow Earth Check certification standards for construction and operations, the hotel’s design provides for guest comfort and privacy, while ensuring sensitivity to the surrounding environment. Situated in the Indian Ocean’s largest and deepest atoll, Huvadhoo, the hotel opened in late 2009 and has been operating as Alila Villas Hadahaa. In its first year of operation, the hotel garnered recognition as one of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2010 Hot Hotels, Condé Nast Traveler’s Best New Spas in 2010, and 2010 DestinAsian Luxe List’s 41 Best New Hotels of the Year.

“The Maldives draws 94% of its travelers from Europe and Asia, regions where the Park Hyatt brand has a significant presence and is well known,” said Stephen G. Haggerty, global head of real estate and development for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “Opening Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will broaden the range of fantastic Park Hyatt locations and will help further Hyatt’s goal of being the most preferred brand in every segment we serve.”

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa offers 50 luxurious villas with private decks and bedrooms with living areas. Designed by SCDA Architects of Singapore, the modern villa interiors include natural timber and stone in a minimalist, contemporary design. Fourteen of the resort’s 50 villas are elevated over the Indian Ocean with an uninterrupted view of the breathtaking Maldivian horizon and are a private enclave for guests who yearn for tranquility. The other 36 villas are designed with intimate gardens featuring outdoor baths and rain showers. Individual plunge pools are outstanding features in some of these villas. Less than 30 steps from the azure water, they provide complete privacy and serenity to discerning travelers.

“Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is an exclusive, island hideaway with private villas veiled by lush, natural vegetation,” noted Peter Fulton, managing director, Hyatt International, Southwest Asia. “Secluded and serene, Hadahaa is more than 10 kilometers from the closest inhabited island and is an ideal destination for a honeymoon, scuba-diving, or a soul-searching vacation. Located 400 kilometers south of Male International Airport and spread over 86,000 square meters, the resort offers some of the best diving opportunities in the world. Spectacular coral reefs teeming with brilliantly colored marine life can be found only 50 meters from the silver sands that wrap around the island’s periphery.”

Park Hyatt Hadahaa features two specialty restaurants, The Dining Room and Battuta’s, as well as a poolside bar and 24-hour in-villa dining. With a mesmerizing view of the ocean, The Dining Room is an intimate two-story a-la-carte restaurant serving an array of international delights for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Battuta’s, the only indigenous restaurant in the Maldives serving gourmet regional cuisine, features an open kitchen and Maldivian-inspired interiors for elegant, yet casual dinners. Bell’s Bar, an open-air lounge-style bar, perched beautifully between the ocean and an infinity swimming pool with breath-taking ocean views, features an impressive selection of vintage wines and champagnes, as well as cocktails, imported beers and fresh juices.

“The Maldives is one of the most popular vacation and spa destinations in the world and the number of visitors there increased by 21% in 2010,” said Ratnesh Verma, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts’ senior vice president, real estate and development for Asia. “Hyatt is delighted to introduce our Park Hyatt brand to this resort destination with such a spectacular property.”

The hotel features a fitness and health center, multiple swimming pools, and a five-star PADI diving water sports center. Activities range from kayaking, snorkelling and diving to Maldivian cooking lessons, dolphin spotting, sunset cruises and guided visits to local artisan villages. A large freshwater pool overlooking the ocean provides guests with a picturesque backdrop during a casual swim or for lounging poolside. Guests looking for peace and solitude can visit the Spa Pool within the tranquil spa enclave. Shaded garden pavilions complement the serenity of the spa poolside.

The onsite PADI 5 Star dive center offers an opportunity to dive amidst undisturbed reefs and sites in this untouched atoll where the marine life is virtually more abundant and varied than anywhere else in the Maldives. Diving enthusiasts will enjoy experiencing the rich and diverse marine life, including a variety of sting rays – Spotted Eagle Rays, Porcupine Rays, Whiptail Stingrays, Marbled Sting Rays, sharks, and large numbers of green turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. On rare occasions, lucky divers have spotted Ornate Eagle Rays, Guitar Sharks, Whale Sharks, Marlins and Mobulas.

Park Hyatt hotels offer elegant, contemporary luxury, along with highly attentive personal service in an intimate and refined environment. Located in many of the world’s premier cities and select resort destinations, Park Hyatt combines understated sophistication with distinctive regional character. From the exquisitely appointed guestrooms to the critically acclaimed art program to the signature restaurants featuring award-winning chefs, every detail of the stay experience is thoughtfully and impeccably executed. Park Hyatt hotels serve discerning, affluent individual business and leisure guests. In addition to the 26 Park Hyatt hotels currently open around the world, 13 new properties are under development in seven countries. In 2010, more than 30 new Hyatt-branded properties were opened worldwide across all Hyatt’s brands.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company’s subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt Summerfield Suites® brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt ResidencesTM and Hyatt Vacation Club®, which is changing its name to Hyatt Residence ClubTM. As of December 31, 2010, the company’s worldwide portfolio consisted of 453 properties in 45 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Getting away from it all can prove a great tonic to a relationship as well as providing couples with precious memories, which they can enjoy for years to come. One great destination for a holiday ‘a deux’ is the Maldives.

Sitting in the stunning Indian Ocean, the islands of the Maldives provide a great getaway for lovers looking for a little one on one time away from the rat race. With stunning white sand beaches washed by crystal clear waters and a superb selection of indulgent accommodation the Maldives provides the perfect backdrop to any romantic break – with options available to suit all tastes and budgets.

Things to do in the Maldives

With the majority of resorts in the Maldives being based on the beach there is no shortage of opportunities to indulge in soaking up the sun, while there are some exciting water based alternative activities on offer for those looking to try out something a little more strenuous.

Choose from a range of options including: Snorkelling, Water skiing, Sailing, Kite boarding, Scuba diving, Windsurfing, Canoeing, Parasailing, Catamaran sailing, Wake boarding, Ringo riding, Banana Riding, Submarine diving, Jet Skiing, Big game fishing and many more.

Anyone interested in these activities will be able to find instructors and guides on hand in most resort locations to guide them through their early efforts.

Alternatively, more competitive couples may wish to indulge in a spot of sport like tennis or beach volleyball.

Spoil Yourself at Maldives Spas

For those who prefer their romantic breaks to be more focused on relaxation than more energetic recreation, the island resorts offer a stunning selection of spa facilities perfect for a bit of personal pampering for both partners.

Choose from a wide range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments including massages, mud wraps and more – all set in these stunning tropical surroundings, perfect for refreshing the mind and recharging tired bodies.

Enjoy Eating Out in the Maldives

With so many top notch accommodations on offer in the Maldives it is no surprise that they offer some superb eateries serving the local fish based dishes as well as others inspired by international cuisines.

Couples can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner while taking in the stunning scenery, from panoramic island vistas to an amazing undersea tableau at one of the world’s few underwater restaurants.

Why choose the Maldives?

The islands of the Maldives have so much to offer couples. While some couples choose to take advantage of low cost flights to Goa for similar getaways, many report that the mainland destination does not offer the same level of disconnection from daily life as the tropical retreats of the Maldives. Nowhere else can you find the same level of disconnection from daily life as the tropical retreats of the Maldives, where you can simply enjoy the company of your partner.

If you want to learn more about the Maldives culture, you need to get out of your resort and into the cities. Apart from surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, there are many other things you can explore in the Maldives culture. By learning about the Maldives people and their history, not only can you understand this island republic better, but you will also begin to appreciate your vacation all the more.

Famous Fish Market in Malé

The primary food of the Maldives is fish, so you cannot miss a trip to the island’s capital, Malé, where a famous fish market is located. Here you can experience some of the most interesting and unusual fish in the world, all freshly caught that day. Take time to look around the market to see what is available and what you might want to order at dinner later.

Hukuru Miskiy (Mosque)

One of the most dramatic pieces of architecture in the Maldives is the Hukuru Miskiy Mosque. Almost entirely made from coral, this building is marked with beautiful carvings inside and out and was built back in 1656. Important to the Maldivian people, this mosque represents the devotion to Islam in the country.

Maldives National Museum

The Maldives National Museum is also an experience you don’t want to miss. Some of the highlights of the museum’s collection include:

• A coral stone head of Lord Buddha – 11th century
• Engraved wooden plank – Hukuru Miskiy – 13th century
• The Feyli Kolhu weaving worn by the Sultan Ghaazee Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A”z”am – 16th century

A peaceful park filled with beautiful flowers and foliage surround the museum and provide an enjoyable way to begin or end your trip.

Cruise Vessel Excursions

An excursion on one of the island’s cruise vessels might be just the thing for the adventure seeker in the Maldives. You can get a chance to see the island from the water as well as fish with a qualified instructor.

While it might be easy to think the Maldives is nothing more than white sandy beaches and high class resorts, the history of the culture goes much further back. By learning about the modern day market or the history of a famous Maldivian mosque and museum, you will become more aware of just how exquisite this island nation is.