Maldives records highest April arrivals

The Maldives welcomed 55,983 tourist arrivals to the islands in April 2006 – the highest recorded number of tourist arrivals in the month of April since the commencement of the country’s tourism industry thirty three years ago.

This is also the first time that the number of arrivals in April has exceeded arrivals of March, thus reflecting favourable changes in the traditional high season which is expected to end in April.

Arrival numbers to the Maldives from all generating markets have been positive so far this year, indicating an impressive recovery from the period of instability experienced in the tourism industry during the year 2005. Over 223,652 tourists have visited the Maldives until April 2006, which is an increase of 97 percent compared to the same period of 2005. Italy is still leading the arrivals market with a share of 24.5 percent, followed by United Kingdom with 15.9 percent, Germany with 11.6 percent, France with 10.6 percent, Japan with 4.7 percent, Russia with 3.7 percent, and China with 3.4 percent.

Dhonveli beach leased for 67 million dollars

Sources in Male' confirmed that Hon. Abdulla Jabir, MP for North Huvadhu Atoll, has closed a deal with John Keells group of Sri Lanka to lease the resort island Dhonveli Beach for a record 67 million dollars. Technically a sub-lease of the resort for 15 years will net Jabir an initial payment of 24 million dollars and further an annual rent of around 3 million dollars thereafter.

Jabir has been a prominent supporter of Gayyoom and even ran for deputy leadership of Dictator's party. However, according to his associates, Jabir is extremely dissatisfied with the congress and election procedure of the congress and believes that Gayyoom rigged the votes during the election, something he had obviously mastered over the past 28 years.

John Keells eyes new hotel properties in Maldives, bookings down in Trinco

John Keells Holdings eyes the Maldives for hotel expansion as city hotels see a slight drop in bookings and its resort on the East coast suffers from current political instability.

A fresh wave of violence between Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan government broke out in the North and East including Trincomalee, over the past few weeks.

The diversified blue-chip has two city hotels in Colombo that brings in business traffic and 11 resort properties in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Further growth in Maldives is on the cards.

In the pipeline for re-branding under the Chaaya brand are the Hakuraa Club in the Maldives, The Citadel in Kandy and Yala Village in Sri Lanka.

Parent company John Keells Holdings is among the largest listed conglomerates by market capitalisation, on the Colombo Stock Exchange.