World travel expected to rise 4% to 5% in 2006

In 2005 international tourism sustained the sharp upturn that began in 2004 in spite of the various tragic events it had to contend. According to preliminary results presented today by the United Nations specialized agency, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) the number of international tourist arrivals recorded worldwide grew by 5.5% and exceeded 800 million for the first time ever.

Africa led the way in 2005, with growth estimated at 10%. Growth was stronger in Sub-Saharan Africa (+13%) with particularly remarkable results for Kenya (+26% between January and October compared with the same period of the previous year) following an already buoyant 2004, and Mozambique (+37% Jan-Sep). South Africa (+11% Jan-Aug) as well as the island destinations of Seychelles (+7%) and Mauritius (+6%), all improved on their 2004 results. In North Africa growth continued, but at a more moderate pace, with Tunisia recording an increase of 8% between January and November and Morocco 5% for the full year.

Growth in Asia and the Pacific averaged 7%, following the exceptional post-SARS rebound in 2004 (+27%). North-East Asia (+10%) emerged as the most dynamic subregion with the strongest performers being Taiwan (pr. of China) (+15% Jan-Oct), China (+13% Jan-Nov) and Japan (+9% Jan-Nov). In South-East Asia (+4%), Oceania (+4%) and South Asia (+4%), results overall were more modest and above all rather mixed. Cambodia (+35% Jan-Nov), Lao PDR (+27% Jan-Sep), Vietnam (+18%), the Philippines (+14% Jan-Oct) and India (+13%) nevertheless managed to report remarkable growth. Among the countries affected by the December 2004 tsunami tragedy, the Maldives reported a 39% decrease up to November although the rate of decline has eased in the last months. Arrivals to Indonesia were down by nearly 9%, as the country suffered also from the October Bali bombing. Sri Lanka reported only a slight 0.4% drop, although this result may in part be attributed to the large number of Sri Lankan expatriates who visited the country in the aftermath of the tsunami and to the flow of aid workers.

As for Thailand, although overall data up to June shows a 6% decline, arrivals at the Bangkok airport registered 4% growth in the period through October.

Source: Hotel Marketing .com

Commemorating Earth Day at Banyan Tree resorts worldwide

Banyan Tree Group celebrates the mark of Earth Day on 22 April with a series of promotions at Banyan Tree resorts worldwide. At the same time, Banyan Tree Gallery will contribute two per cent of its total global revenue to the group’s Green Imperative Fund for the month of April 2006.

The Earth Day promotions and packages are in line with Banyan Tree’s philosophy and commitment to the global environment, where Banyan Tree Resorts and Banyan Tree Gallery products have been developed and maintained with utmost care and consideration for the surrounding physical and cultural landscape.

To mark this special occasion, Banyan Tree Gallery has developed a new range of green awareness collectibles, including marine-themed collections that feature starfish, blacktip reef shark, green sea turtle and red tree corals. Available in the functional forms of magnets, embroidery badges, desktop accessories, tote bags and casual apparel, these products are inspired by long-term research and studies by Banyan Tree’s Maldives Marine Conservation group. The products can be viewed and purchased online at www.banyantreegallery.com.

Banyan Tree Maldives offers more than just sun, sea and sand. With a minimum stay of four nights, guests can enjoy Earth Day rates starting from US$680++ per night for an Oceanview Villa, which includes daily breakfast and dinner, an Island Dew Massage at the Banyan Tree Spa, and choice of an unforgettable Lotus Diving excursion with coral planting or two guided snorkelling trips and one manta tow ride per person per stay.

All packages are valid during the months of April and May 2006 and come with daily breakfasts for two and a special gift from Banyan Tree Gallery. More information on the Earth Day packages at Banyan Tree resorts can be found online at www.banyantree.com.

Source: e-travel Blackboard

India's neighbours at Surajkund

Artistes and many other representatives from all the member-nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) apart from India -- Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives -- will for the first time be taking part in the Surajkund Crafts Mela that opens in neighbouring Faridabad this coming Wednesday, February 1.

Haryana Tourism and the Union Textiles and Tourism Ministries host the Surajkund Mela jointly every year in February. It has come to occupy a pride of place and prominence on the international tourist calendar. Not only are a vast variety of handicrafts put on display, artistes, dancers and musicians from all over the country also come to highlight their talent and culture. The mela is also a treat for food lovers as traditional cuisines of different States are served along with the cultural fare, she added

Ms. Chaudhary said the focus was on quality participation and to ensure that people get the best. Also, she said, she was in touch with the Union Government to put in place a scheme to not only promote "religious tourism'' but also to work for projection of important monuments in the State.

The mela will be open up to February 15

SAARC countries declares 2006 Tourism Year

South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation ( SAARC ) member countries which recently concluded its 13th Summit in Dhaka has declared 2006 as South Asia Tourism Year.

Leaders from member countries recognize the importance of tourism and the need to promote tourism in the region. Tourism ministers from member states are to meet and agree on activities to be undertaken during the year.

The SAARC region has attracted international tourists in search of rich civilization, unique cultural diversity, cuisine, extremely diverse geography, splendid archaeological monuments, and historic religious sites.

The SAARC countries comprise original members Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan has been accepted as the newest member.

PATA's Top Five Winners for Third Quarter 2005

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has published its comprehensive and comparative listing of Asia Pacific destination performance for third quarter 2005.

The top five origin-destination growth performances (%) for third quarter 2005 compared to third quarter 2004, (where passenger traffic was 25,000 or more) were:

1. Indonesia to Chinese Taipei (+181.9%)
2. China (PRC) to the Philippines (+161.0%
3. Spain to China (PRC) (+115.9%)
4. Korea (ROK) to Cambodia (+95.1%)
5. Korea (ROK) to Malaysia (+73.5%)

The top five destination winners for the quarter, in terms of arrivals growth (%) from all markets, compared to third quarter 2004, were:

1. Vanuatu (+50.9%)
2. Cambodia (+41.7%)
3. Lao PDR (+23.8%)
4. Nepal (+23.8%)
5. Macau SAR (+19.1%)

In total, 16 of the 37 Asia Pacific destinations reporting on third quarter figures enjoyed double-digit arrivals growth for the period. Only two destinations registered double-digit losses: the Maldives (-25.6%) and Tonga (-21.5%). The Maldives continued to suffer in the aftermath of the December 26, 2004 tsunami. The 37 Asia Pacific destinations included in the report collectively gained +9.1% over third quarter 2004. This increase was equivalent to 6.6 million additional international arrivals.

Within Asia Pacific, each sub-region attracted more international visitor arrivals: The Americas (+10.9%); South Asia (+3.8%); Northeast Asia (+8.8%); Southeast Asia (+6.7%); and the Pacific (+6.4%).

Maldives takes part in BWTE

Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) and representatives from tourism related companies in the Maldives participated in Best of World Tourism Expo (BWTE) 2006 held in Mumbai, India from 12-15 January 2006.


This is a fair aimed for travel trade representatives from India and its general public. To increase the awareness of Maldives in India, information was given out about the Maldives to various travel magazines, media and nearly 50,000 consumers.


Last year the number of tourists arrived to Maldives from India was 10,260 which is 6.7 percent less than the previous year arrival from India. By increasing promotion in India, one of the markets with vast potential to Maldives we hope to increase the interest and awareness of Maldives among the consumers and travel trade professionals.

Source: Visit Maldives. com

Taj unveils ‘Jiva’ Spa in Maldives

Situated in the middle of one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives unveiled its first authentic Indian spa outside India - Jiva Grande Spa. The Spa includes a Yoga and Meditation Pavilion, a VIP Spa Suite and two over-water luxurious couple spa suites. Apart from these, there are many signature treatments such as spa ceremonies, body therapies and authentic in-depth Ayurveda programs. The highly trained international therapists use products made from Indian herbs and unique Indian aromatherapy oils, natural creams and essential oils.

The Signature Indian Royal Mud and Bathing Experience Pavilion offers a semi outdoor suite with luxury Hammam, couple experience showers, outdoor bathing experience, contoured sun deck loungers over the lagoon and relaxation spaces. The Heat, Hydro and Relaxation Experience Pavilion has a laconium and sauna for guests, apart from an infinity plunge pool and a large relaxation deck. The Ayurveda Sanctuary Pavilion makes available traditional Ayurveda treaments in two opulent therapy suites. You could also get a consultation with the resident Jiva Ayurveda physician, the Vaidya. Each of these suites has its private Ritualistic Bathing Arena, outdoor shower, Ayurveda steam experience - Svedana, a traditional treatment area with Droni Dhara, a sun deck and a relaxation area.

Source: Express Travel and Toursim

Readers of CEI Asia Pacific Vote Shangri-La Best Asia Pacific City Brand

Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has been voted Best Asia Pacific City Brand in the annual industry survey of CEI Asia Pacific magazine, the market-leading magazine focusing on the region’s conference, exhibition and incentive industry. In addition to being the overall winner across the region, Shangri-La is the only hotel group named as one of the “Best Brands” in the top CEI cities of Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

CEI Asia Pacific’s readership includes key corporate decision makers and multinational company conference planners in the region. A total of 434 readers participated in the annual survey with respondents selecting leading brands, properties, venues and airlines serving the CEI market. Readers named their hotel preferences based not only on the quality of guestrooms and meeting spaces, but also levels of service, reliability and consistency.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, currently manages 47 hotels under the five-star Shangri-La and four-star Traders brands, with a rooms inventory of over 23,000. The group has over 40 projects under development in Canada, mainland China, India, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

Everage Occupancy remains very high

Most of the Maldives resorts are currently experiencing high occupancy due to huge rise in tourist arrivals. Many resorts from Male atoll, atolls close to Male and atolls far away are overbooked.

Tourism Ministry said in an announcement that since the problem of overbooking has arisen and tourists are complaining about it a circular released Monday has ordered that booking is done according to law. Tourism Ministry said that 15,182 beds from78 resorts are being used by tourists. While 12,788 beds were used during last year’s January the number of beds used during January of 2004 was 16,088.

Six Senses Gallery goes online with a range of specialty items from Resort Boutiques

The innovative gift boutiques located at Soneva Resorts, Evason Hideaways and Evason Resorts, operated by Six Senses Gallery, have gone online at www.sixsensesgallery.com. The on-line Gallery presents a selection of the most popular merchandise available at these established outlets.


“Our Six Senses Galleries were receiving so many requests from guests who wished to re-order merchandise, which they had purchased while staying at our properties, that we decided to take the next step, and offer the goods online”, said Raymond Hall – Chief Marketing Officer for Six Senses Resorts & Spas, “and since our guests are drawn from a global market, we needed to be able to distribute worldwide”.

One very popular item at the boutiques, and that has already been available through the Six Senses Web site in a trial run for several months, is The Six Senses Cookbook. Recipes in the 144-page coffee-table format publication were created by a team of chefs from resorts managed Six Senses Resorts & Spas in the Maldives, Thailand and Vietnam, with photography shot on location and lavishly reproduced in full colour.

Much of the merchandise has been produced by craftspeople in Asian countries, which include Thailand, Indonesia, and China. Shoppers are secure in the knowledge that merchandise is guaranteed by Six Senses Gallery, and may be returned and exchanged according to the terms of the Gallery’s policy.

Maldives tourist arrivals close to pre-tsunami level

According to the Ministry of Toursism and Civil Aviation the tourist arrival to the Maldives has increased significantly bringing the figure close to the pre-tsunami level. In a letter distributed to all the resorts Ministry stated "We are delighted at the significant increase in the tourist arrivals bringing the figure close to the pre-tsunami level. We, threrfore, wish to thank you for your tireless work to make it all happen! Clearly, the results reflect the strong spirit of cooperation that exists between the industry and the Government in the efforts towards full recovery. "

Majority of Maldives resorts are currently fully booked and expect the peak season to continue till early May with its current pace.

Report by: Masood Rushde

Underwater Dining Experience in Hilton Maldives

While it is not unusual to find a large fish tank in a restaurant, it is less usual to find a restaurant within a fish tank!

Strange as it seems, this odd idea has been brought to life in the Maldives where the world's first aquarium-style undersea restaurant has been constructed at the Hilton resort on the island. Ithaca, which literally translated means 'pearl', will lie six metres below the Indian Ocean an will offer diners 180-degree panoramic underwater views. The restaurant will be surrounded by a coral reef teeming with sea-life and the organisers plan to stage regular feedings to attract some of the area's larger animals, such as sting-rays and sharks, to the reef.The first of its kind, the restaurant seats only 14 people, and thus provides one of the most exclusive and extraordinary dining experiences in the world.

Source: Go Travel Insurance, UK

35 New Islands to be developed over the next two to five years period

The additional 35 islands proposed for tourism is expected to add the much needed 5000 to 7000 beds over the next two to five year period, which will facilitate sustainable expansion of the Maldivian tourism industry.

While demand for Maldives as a tourist destination has increased steadily, the bed-capacity in the tourist resorts has increased from 16, 318 in 2001 to 16,858 in 2004 which amounts to only 3.3% growth. During the same period the tourist arrivals have increased by 33.6 %. For sustainable growth of the industry, the Second Tourism Master Plan had proposed the development of 20,500 beds by 2005. However, the number of beds available in 87 resorts amounts to 16, 858, leading to a shortage of 3642 beds.

The recently bid 11 new resorts consist of 1600 beds and, therefore, does not adequately address the bed-capacity shortfall. Even with the addition of these 11 resorts, there is a bed-capacity shortage of 2042 beds, leading to continue the planned expansion of the tourism industry. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) forecasts growth of the Asia Pacific tourism over the next three years, and predicts that arrivals to Maldives will likely increase by 6.8% in 2006 and 2007.

Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and several international tour operators have urged the Government the need to increase medium-priced beds for the charter market. MATI and others have raised concern that an increasing number of resorts are becoming up-market facilities, upsetting the balance required in the product profile of the destination for sustainable development.

In offering 35 new resort/hotel facilities, the Government would undertake the following:

1. Provide a mix of medium size (100 - 200bed) resorts and small luxury resorts (below 50 beds)
2. Target sufficient number of medium size resorts for medium priced charter markets
3. Provide the opportunity for new resorts to expand from a minimum number of beds to a maximum over a five year period. Example, a resort may expand from 100 beds to 200 beds over a five year period. This would allow the resorts to adjust capacity to demand.

Source: Ministry of Tourism

Free 30 days Visa upon arrival for all visitors

No prior visa is required to enter the Republic of Maldives. Entry permit will be granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry, based on the immigration requirements.

Source: Ministry of Tourism

Luxury Travel Magazine Honors the World's Best New Luxury Hotels with 2005 Luxury Travel Awards

Luxury Travel Awards are presented to the world's best new luxury hotels by Luxury Travel Magazine, http://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/. Subscribers of Luxury Travel Magazine online - The A-List of Travel - have access to the full list of 200 of the world's best new luxury hotels, as well as Top 10 lists naming the best of the best.

Among the award-winning new hotels in the U.S. are The Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa in Lake Placid, the Poetry Inn and Les Mars Hotel in Napa Valley, Hotel Vitale and the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, Hotel Victor and The Setai in Miami, Wynn Las Vegas, and Hotel Gansevoort in New York.New Caribbean hotels named in the Luxury Travel Awards include Le Sereno in St. Bart's, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Discovery at Marigot Bay St. Lucia, Fairmont Mayakoba on the Riviera Maya and The Palms in Turks & Caicos among others."In compiling our list of the best new hotels, we uncovered the latest trends and hot spots," says editor Christine Gray. "New hotel growth in the Americas this year was slow, while Asia/Pacific destinations are booming. Also, world-renowned architects, designers, chefs and spas are increasingly getting involved in new luxury hotel projects."

Asia's hottest destination this year is Chiang Mai, Thailand with more than a half-dozen outstanding new luxury properties including two Four Seasons, the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, The Chedi, Rachamankha, D2hotel and Anantara Resort & Spa. The Maldives are equally as hot with some of the world's most spectacular new resorts including Dhoni Mighili, Huvafen Fushi, One&Only Reethi Rah and the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa.

Sri Lanka also has a half-dozen beautiful new hotels and resorts.Exciting new developments in Europe include many wonderful historic buildings being transformed into the newest luxury hotels. These hotels include Villa le Scale in Anacapri, Imaret in Kavala Greece, L'Andana in Tuscany, Convento Do Espinheiro in Evora Portugal, Mehmet Ali Aga Mansion and Sumahan on the Water in Turkey, Hotel Endsleigh in Dartmoor National Park, England, Hotel Caruso in Ravello Italy, Palacio del Retiro in Madrid, among several more.Europe is also a hot-bed for cutting edge new hotels such as Hotel Fox in Copenhagen, Casa Angelina on the Amalfi Coast, Townhouse 12 in Milan and the Radisson SAS in Frankfurt.

Moscow and other Eastern European destinations such as Croatia, Estonia, Hungary and Slovenia are starting to boom with new luxury hotels.Luxury Travel Magazine online - The A-List of Travel - provides ultimate inspiration for the discerning traveler with an unrivaled database of 5,000+ award-winning luxury hotels and ultimate travel experiences and an innovative search that compares to consulting with a luxury travel advisor.