A trio of awards for Karumba, Maldives

Universal Resorts have announced that their luxury resort Kurumba Maldives, was awarded three World Travel Awards at the inaugural World Travel Awards Asia and Indian Ocean Ceremony held last week at the Swissotel Grand, Shanghai.

Kurumba won the coveted Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort, Maldives Leading Resort and Maldives Leading Spa. The Maldives as a destination was recognised by winning a total of eight awards in the Indian Ocean categories.

Being the pioneers of tourism in the Maldives, with Kurumba being the first ever resorts to open in 1972, Universal Resorts are extremely proud to receive three awards for this their first ever resort proving their commitment to excellence and progression in the industry of travel.

“Since 1972 Kurumba has been a trend-leader in the Maldives. Here it has been our aim to provide affordable luxury, to give our guests a little more than they expect with a huge emphasis on service and real value for the price they pay. The World Travel Award and the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice award received earlier this year is recognition of Kurumba’s efforts in that direction” said Mr. AM Didi, Director of Sales & Marketing, Universal Resorts.

Graham Cooke, President and Founder said of the highly respected World Travel Awards. "Winning a World Travel Award certainly carries the same kind of kudos and international acclaim within our industry that the gold medal winners receive, bringing winner’s worldwide recognition as supreme centres of excellence."

The most influential, players of the travel industry came out in force for the star-studded gala event. Formed in 1993, the World Travel Awards are perceived as comprehensive, expansive and prestigious awards. Winners are decided on by an independent vote from 167,000 travel agents and tourism experts in over 200 countries. The awards cover twenty-three countries ranging across the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.

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Kuoni Travel Announce Increase in Maldives Bookings

Kuoni Travel has announced that the first six months of 2008 saw a 28% rise in the number of people enjoying luxury holidays in the Maldives, compared to the same time period in 2007, despite the UK presently suffering under the strain of a credit crunch.

The popularity of Maldives holidays continues to grow, with these luxury holidays seemingly unaffected by the UK's changing financial landscape. Kuoni Travel's recent developments to improve the usability of their website, most notably the addition of a wide choice of video guides, have no doubt helped maintain the Maldives' status as their most successful destination.

Non-stop UK-Maldives link this winter

SriLankan Airlines is to run non-stop flights between the UK and the Maldives this winter.

The airline will operate twice weekly from Heathrow to Male starting on October 26 with a flying time of 11 hours and 15 minutes. The carrier’s UK and Ireland manager Chanaka Olagama said: “We recognise the need to introduce this non-stop service for such a popular holiday destination.

“Customers’ needs are our priority and we believe that this new direct service will provide a time-effective way to travel in style and comfort to their paradise location.”

Maldives Tourism growth 2007 & 2008

The Maldives tourism industry has been experiencing a period of unbridled growth over the 2006-2007 period, and with improved and expanded tourist facilities in the pipeline for 2008, the boom is predicted to continue in the coming year.

An 8.5% increase in the number of visitors to the Maldives was anticipated for 2007, although the actual figure has been recorded as an unprecedented 12.3% rate of growth when compared to 2006, which was also a record year.

Maldives Tourism Promotion Bureau Director General Dr. Abdullah Mausoom said: “2007 was a record breaking year in the history of tourism and we look forward to a similar year in 2008.

Increased accessibility with greater air transportation and the diversity of the
product that is the Maldives have attracted so many tourists into the country.

On January 29th, for example, the Maldives second international airport in Addu atoll had its grand opening; during the ceremony, President Gayoom emphasised that this project would result in a huge boost to the local economy.

The opening of Gan International Airport was compounded by the news that the adjoining Herathere Resort, consisting of 600 beds, was also now ready for business. To further accommodate the rising number of tourists to the Maldives, another hotel on the Addu Atoll is now under construction, and is due to open by late summer 2008.

The Villigili Resort has been jointly funded by the government and Addu Investment Private Ltd., and upon completion will offer 142 rooms.

The Villigili Resort has been jointly funded by the government and Addu Investment Private Ltd., and upon completion will offer 142 rooms.

Source: Emerging-market.org

Cocoa Island in the Maldives launches New Holistic Health Packages for 2008

Cocoa Island is COMO Hotels and Resorts' private island property in the Maldives. With everything designed to maximise a guest's sense of escape - empty horizon views, a still lagoon and powder-white beach - it's a perfect place to address issues of well-being, supported by spacious, meditative accommodation in calming whites, healthful cuisine and quietly efficient service. The resort has a foot-in-the-sand Retreat offering a carefully edited selection of meaningful treatments, for mind and body.

Taking this health-giving purpose further for 2008, the resort has introduced four 'paths' comprising a day's suggested treatments to purify, rejuvenate, relax and restore.

Kuoni Long-haul Report Sees Maldives Hold Onto Number One Place For 2007 As Tailor Made Business Grows

At the launch of its annual long-haul report, leading specialist tour operator Kuoni Travel announced that the Maldives has retained its Number 1 position as the favourite long-haul destination both for 2007 and going forward to 2008. Also at the top of the table for 2007, Thailand remains at Number 2, Egypt has climbed one place to Number 3 and Kenya and Dubai have retained the Number 4 and 5 places respectively. As predicted in last year’s report, China, including Hong Kong, had an outstanding year in 2007, with business to mainland China up by some 60%, climbing two places to Number 6.

Looking forward to 2008, early ’hot stars’ include India, climbing two places to Number 9, with year on year growth of some 30%, South Africa, into the Top Twenty at Number 18, with growth of 14% and Bali, which is enjoying a welcome resurgence and is currently sitting at Number 19 for the year ahead.

Commenting, Nick Hughes, Managing Director, Kuoni Travel says "It’s great to see the Maldives continuing to hold its well-deserved position as the favourite long-haul destination"

"In terms of the major trends we are seeing in long-haul travel, the most apparent is the shift towards tailor making. During the past two years the tailor made share of our total business has grown by approximately 50% and is being requested on an increasing basis. Kuoni has long been recognised for its ability to personalise holidays on a very individual basis for our clients and it is this skill, supported by our in-depth knowledge, careful selection of product and excellent customer service that we believe will set us apart moving into the future, as the leading provider of top quality tailor made holidays"

For further press information on Kuoni, and copies of the long-haul report, please contact Kuoni media relations.

Maldives '07 tourist arrivals rise record 12.3 pct

Tourist arrivals in Maldives rose to 12.3 percent -- more than projected in 2007 and its highest ever -- thanks to an improvement in the infrastructure of its tourist resorts, officials said on Wednesday.

The tourist arrivals reached 675,889 in 2007 compared with 601,860 in 2006, the island's Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation said in a statement. "The increase was mainly because of the infrastructure improvement in the resorts," Abdulla Niam, deputy director of marketing at Maldives Tourism Promotion Board told Reuters.

"We opened some of the resorts last year, which closed after 2004 tsunami." Tourists resorts in the Maldives were hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which killed over 200,000 in the region. Although the islands' target last year was to achieve an 8.5 percent increase over 2006 tourists arrivals, the Maldives achieved saw a better-than-expected rise to 12.3 percent.

The Maldives Tourism Ministry said United Kingdom ranked top in 2007 with 125,158 tourist arrivals, followed by Italy with 117,246 tourists. Third highest was Germany with 72,269 tourists. The average stay of a tourist has increased to 8.5 days for 2007 from 8.0 days in 2006, the ministry said.

Renowned for its luxury resorts -- accommodation in pavilions on stilts over turquoise lagoons can cost over $1,000 a night -- white sand beaches and world class snorkelling and scuba diving, tourism is the lynchpin of the Maldives' 850 million dollar economy.

Tourism revenues grew 10 percent in 2007, contributing $240 million or 28 percent of GDP. That compared to sector growth of 45 percent the previous year as arrivals recovered from the impact of the 2004 tsunami.

Tourist arrivals fell 36 percent to 395,300 in 2005 after the disaster, but recovered to 601,860 in 2006.

Source: Reuters

Denise Van Outen takes some time out in the Maldives

TV presenter and west-end star Denise Van Outen has taken a break from her busy showbiz career with a luxury trip to the Maldives. The 33-year-old soaked up the sun on a beach of one of the archipelago's islands with a female friend, Now magazine reports.

Eyebrows were raised, however, by the absence of her new boyfriend Lee Mead, the winner of TV talent show Any Dream Will Do, which Van Outen herself presented.

The Maldives, an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, is known for its natural beauty in the form of white sand beaches and clear blue waters.

Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa becomes the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has unveiled a host of new services and experiences for honeymooners, spa aficionados and gourmet travellers alike now the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa has become the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The stunning twin island resort, twice voted ‘Best in the World’ as Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa, provides a new level of luxury which ensures every guest experiences their very own version of a tropical paradise.

On Rangali Island, the 50 luxurious Water Villas provide a bliss zone for honeymooners and couples with the introduction of a new Personal Island Host service, offering guests a one stop contact to attend their every need. Newly refurbished Superior and Premier Water Villas, complete with new Jacuzzis, contemporary furnishings and lighting, provide some of the most stylish accommodation options in the Indian Ocean; whilst all Spa Water villas are equipped with mini-gyms for the ultimate paradise workout. From 2008, a serene Infinity pool perfectly positioned on the fringes of the island will create an idyllic hideaway for honeymooners and couples alike.

For lovers of fine food and wine, the resort is offering a host of new experiences to take guests on a culinary journey around the impressive collection of seven restaurants and three bars. A new look Vilu Bar and Restaurant on the beachfront of Rangali Island comes complete with a menu of over 80 Martini Cocktails and a unique Wine List that guides the guests’ food choices. Underground in the newly renovated Wine Cellar, individual plasma screens will provide a visual aspect to the intimate dégustation evenings hosted by the Executive Chef and Resident Sommelier, transporting guests to the heart of the world’s greatest wine regions from two metres below the ocean.

Spa aficionados meanwhile will be treated to a host of new treatments, from holistic therapies at the Maldives only destination Spa Retreat to enticing hedonistic couples' treatments at the luxurious Over-Water Spa. And with a new Day Spa planned at the resort’s exclusive Airport Lounge in 2008, the Conrad experience will begin the moment guests’ step off the plane in Male.