2nd Maldives Mr. & Miss Beauty Contest from Korea!

The 2nd Maldives Mr. & Miss Beauty Contest, sponsered by Maldives National Administration of Tourism and superintended by Chundo Travel Co. and "XTM," starts recruiting candidates in South Korea on Feb. 15, 2007. Main contest will be held in Maldives on May 8-22, 2007.

The Maldives Mr. & Miss Beauty Contest is an anual event to choose nongovernmental ambassadors who will promote the breath-taking tourist attractions of Maldives which started in 2006. All participants should be unmarried, be graduated from highschool, at the age 18 to 32, and have citizenship of Republic of Korea. The Procedure of the 2nd Maldives Mr. & Miss Beauty Contest will be:

1st: On-line recruiting2nd: The main contest (5Mr. & 10Miss Maldives nominees will be choosen)3rd: Final contest (It will be proceeded at local resort in Maldives with the attendance of the minister of Tourism in Maldives, the chief of Tourist Bureau and the related parties of the Maldives government)

The total prizes of this contest is up to 4400,000 won.Also the final 15 contestants will tour Male (the capital island of Maldives) and the top 10 luxurious resorts and experience significant culture and beautiful tourist attraction of Maldives.

Especially The main contestant of this contest will have a chance to participate in producing TV programs of XTM (www.xtmtv.com).

Source: The Seoul Time.

Culinary Vacation - Where can I go?

Top hotels from around the world offer different cullinary tastes to their customer. Among the worlds top destinations are France, Italy, Maxico, Spain, and Thailand. Spanish recipes are among my favorites.

Food, and now cooking, is a big attraction in many popular destinations, not just for gourmands and chefs, but for any traveler who enjoys a meal and feels at home in the kitchen. In the Maldives islands many resorts offer services such as Romantic beach dining, private sandbank dinings which are very popular among the travellers.

Planning a culinary vacation requires many researches. It is important to keep in mind that there is no need to spend much time in search of authentic ethnic cuisine since it is quiet possible for you to find all your favorite dishes from any country you go or most of the hotels you visit.

By: Masood

Tropical Hideaways - A review

There are many popular travel destinations in the world. Many popular tropical islands are ideal places for millions of tarvellers from around the world. A vacation in an island where the sun shines the wholeday, where you can frolic on white sand beaches and swim in the warm sea, is perfect for any traveller.

Many travllers prefere the Caribbean islands where its unique culture and sun kissed islands make it one of the leading tropical holiday destinations in the world. Careibbean white sandy beaches are among the most beautiful in the world.

Mnay other island nations such as the beautiful maldives islands, Fiji, Seychelles, Virgin islands, and Spanish unique islands are among the top travel destinations. With never ending summer, many of this islanlds are ideal places to escape in winter.

The ultimate Maldivian offer for gluttons of luxury at Soneva Resorts

The Maldives is a place where most dream of spending their calm and relaxing holiday while lying on white sandy beaches with the azure waters lapping on their toes. Soneva resorts will be making this a possibility with a special offer that will give gluttons for luxury an all access pass to anything and everything at the Soneva Fushi and the Soneva Gili.

It is an extraordinary offer that includes not only seaplane and powerboat transfers, but also unlimited water activities, Six Senses Spa, gourmet dining and a stay at the resort’s luxurious suites.

The all-inclusive rate of AUD$1 million for a full seven days and nights will give guests at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili an opportunity to enjoy the wide variety of dining experiences and a full Mr and Ms Friday butler service.

Source: e-travel Blackboard

Finding a foreclosures in Florida

With hundreds of websites offering similar service finding the right online website is sometimes a challange. After several researches I have found the best Florida Foreclosure Listings online source. With up-to-date foreclosure property listings, they can help you find a Florida foreclosed or HUD home in a location you desire.

A number of property and investment opportunities can arise from Florida foreclosed homes, foreclosed timeshares, and other government foreclosure real estate. If you are looking for foreclosure homes in Florida, this can be good news since it means that you have more real estate to choose from.

Florida, is one of the nation's hottest real estate markets. Searching for a Florida HUD home or foreclosed home has never been so easy. Florida continues to lead the Southeast Region in foreclosure filings.

Record Number Of Tourists In January

A record number of tourists visited the Maldives last month, statistics show. The Tourism Ministry said 64,570 tourists arrived in Maldives in January, compared with 58,332 at the same time last year. The previous record month was March 2004, pre-tsunami, when 63,855 visited.

“This is a great start,” Director General of the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) Dr. Abdulla Mausoom told Haveeru. “We expect the arrivals to increase during the rest of the year too. The new resorts that haven’t begun operations yet will soon begin their operations.”

The record number of visitors shows that the Maldives has bounced back fast from the effects of the December 2004 tsunami and is now expanding beyond its capacity at that time. The figures also suggest that the targeted resort boycott by the NGO Friends of Maldives has had little direct effect on the tourism industry in the Maldives.

The Tourism Ministry says 77 resorts and 9 hotels were in operation offering a total of 17,139 beds. On average each tourist spent 7.9 days in Maldives and resorts and hotels experienced 94.8 percent occupancy rates. Currently there are 89 resorts and 9 hotels allowed to operate in the Maldives with a combined bed capacity of 18,527.

Source: Minvan News.

Actor Iqbal honeymooned in Maldives to avoid embarrassment

Television artist Iqbal Khan surprisingly chose not to honeymoon at any of those exotic spots that his new bride Sneha selected on the net because he was not sure he will get a visa.

'I'd rather not think about these things. There're enough holiday spots in our own country for my wife and me. We had a week of bliss in the Maldives. And our honeymoon is still on since I'm not working.

The couple is technically back from their honeymoon but they continue to be in the honey-mode. 'Marriage so far has been an extended honeymoon. There were no adjustments with each other or our families since we've known each other for years now'.

Sourece: Indiaenews.com

Six Senses launches One Million US Dollars Promotion in the Maldives

The two iconic Soneva resorts in the Maldives are offering the ultimate exclusive island experience. They are offering the opportunity to take over each island resort, completely and privately, at an all-inclusive rate of one million dollars (US) for a full seven days and nights, for a full compliment of guests – at either resort.

This extraordinary offer also includes seaplane and powerboat transfers, unlimited water activities, Six Senses Spa and gourmet dining for all guests. High-end wines and gift boutique purchases are the only items that are additional.

Soneva Fushi offers 65 accommodations and 32 private swimming pools, with categories of villas ranging from the Jungle Reserve and The Retreats, plus Soneva Villas and Suites – all with Mr and Ms Friday butlers. The resort also offers ten separate experiences for dining and drinks.

At Soneva Gili, one of the Maldives first all-over-water resorts, there are 44 oversized Villas and Villa Suites plus the vast Private Reserve, all attended by Mr and Ms Friday butlers. Dining alternatives include three on-island choices and the over-water restaurant and lounge.

This offer is valid for stays from May through November each year and a long lead time is essential due to availability. Soneva Fushi can comfortably accommodate around 134 adults, with 20 children utilizing the generous daybeds and tree house bunks. Soneva Gili can accommodate close to 94 adults, with oversized daybeds for 20 children.

Source: Asia Travel Tips

Spain Car Hire Ideas

Spain is one of the leading travel destination in the world whcih attarcts millions of visitors per year from around the world. Taking a tour of beautiful cities is one of the best ways to discover the sunny country. It is essential to explore the spain's harder-to-reach regions.

Leading car rental companies such as Malaga car hire has wide range of cars available in vast majority of cities in Spain. The online website car rental website compares the prices of the best car hire companies and quote you the most economical vehicle available in Malaga and many other popular destinations in the world.

For different needs different types of cars are required. The online website details differnt car types available. Outstanding service makes the cutomers extremely happy.

By: Masood Rushdee

Tips for Group Travel

What makes each travel website different from each other? The answer would be the "level of service". Today I have discovered a dedicated online travel planner for Group Travel. Organise your next group tour, corporate gathering, family reunion, youth or student trip, business or incentive travel, or even a dream holiday or vacation for your group from start to finish on this easy to use site.

When you travel as a group, the adventure begins with the planning stage. Group travel is about participation, coming together, a collective experience. What better way to excite your group of friends, colleagues, or family members than to include them in the planning process.

A successful trip requires participation from all the group members. Selecting the right organizer plays a vital role for the success of the trip.

International hotel brand enters in Maldives in late 2008

Male, the capital island of Maldives, is gearing up to welcome the entry of a long-awaited international hotel brand, to meet a market need among seasoned business travellers, airline crew and stopover visitors seeking high standards of comfort and service.

The new-build Holiday Inn Male marks the entry of InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) first hotel in Maldives. The property will be developed by Male Hotel Associates Sourcing Limited. Following the recent successful procurement of financing by the local partners, construction of the hotel is expected to begin by 2nd quarter of this year, and operations scheduled to commence by late 2008.

IHG which will be managing the hotel as a non-equity partner, has teamed up with partners from Male Hotel Associates Sourcing Limited, led by Abdul Sattar Ali and Lawrence Lee.

Ali, a Maldivian, is the Founding Partner and Director of one of Maldives largest and fastest growing graphic design, advertising and publishing firms. He is also Director and majority shareholder of Aribeach Resort on Ari Atoll. Lee, an industry veteran who has played key roles in a number of successful hospitality property acquisitions, is also the former owner of award-winning White Sands Resort & Spa.

Source: Travel Daily News

Travel Planning Ideas

Many travelers spend several months, if not years planning for their next holiday. Many travel sites offer extensive travel planning ideas such as travel tips, routes, accommodation, destination reviews, travel itineraries, destination guides, and many more.

Reading articles about the destinations and the destination guides is the best way to collect the necessary information about the place. Many travellers take advantage of global travel sites to discuss about their past travel experience and share the information to the world.

The travel article sites are my favorites. Professional travel article sites act as the main source of information for many dedicated travellers. Careful planning is what makes a perfect holiday!

Online Travel Demands

Many leisure travelers buy travel online. Online powerful website such leisuretime promotions are specialized in giving the best travel services. The ability to organize many travel service such as flights, car hire, travel insurance, cruises, is something exceptionally good.

Making customers happy should be the top priority for any travel service provider. There are thousands of online booking engines currently available for travelers. Fast and efficient reservation service is one thing particularly the travelers look for. Efficient and quick response to customers will pave the way for return businesses. Almost all online travel service providers believe in that concept.

Travel service provides such as Leisuretime Promotions makes things look simple and professional.

Madonna to Visit Maldives again?

Reports are emerging that Madonna is now on a vacation with her family to save her marriage. Madonna and Guy Ritchie have been married for nearly six years. But according to sources, the marriage is starting to become quite rocky!

The family of five is to spend two weeks in the Maldives, in what has been speculated as a trip to save their marriage.

A comment made by a 'friend' of Mr Ritchie, reported in The News of the World, was "It's make or break. They even argued over where to go, so things aren't good. Guy has let slip their marriage is hanging by a thread. It's sad."

Don't worry Madonna, we'll still love you no matter what!

Source: GeberationsQ

Maldives UK’s “Favourite Long-Haul Destination”: Kuoni

Maldives have been declared as the favourite long haul destination for the UK, 2006 by Kuoni Travel annual long haul travel report. The destination was followed by Thailand in second place and Egypt in third.

“Kenya has moved up one place to the Number 4 spot, whilst Dubai has fallen to Number 5. Looking forward to 2007, the Maldives and Thailand maintain the Number 1 and Number 2 positions, whilst a strong USA moves up to third place and China and Hong Kong see particular growth, moving up two places to Number 6,” said the company.

Sue Biggs, Managing Director, Kuoni UK says “The Maldives’ ranking as the favourite long-haul destination is undoubtedly well deserved, and it is a fabulous accolade to this country that 2006 has been its best year ever.

“The concept of hotels being destinations in their own right is moving to new levels, with types, facilities and services of rooms becoming more important than ever. At many top end resorts, customers are choosing their holiday based on the rooms themselves rather than the destination. The type of music system, in room spa treatments and pillow menus have all become important, if not vital, elements of a relaxing holiday to many discerning customers of the 21st Century.”

Kuoni also says water villas are becoming increasingly popular. “Design, service and fashion also come into play in the new and growing sector of ‘villa living’ which is fast becoming a way of life for those eager for quality pampering in style.”

Source: Minivan News

Aitken Spence Resort Operator’s Profits Rise

Aitken Spence Group, Sri Lanka’s biggest resort operator, has posted post-tax profits of 260.7m Sri Lankan Rupees (Rf.30.7m) this week.

The firm, which runs six resorts in Maldives with a total of 776 rooms, reports profit grew 7.9 percent during the last quarter of 2006, despite a difficult year for the tourism industry. Aitken Spence, a part of the Stassens Group, said profit after minority interest and tax and interest grew to 260.7 million (Rf.30.7m) from 241 million (Rf.28.4m).

Aitken Spence operates the following resorts: Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Adaaran Ayurveda Village Meedhupparu, Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi, Adaaran Club Rannalhi and Adaaran Club Bathala.

The company reports group revenue grew to 4.4 billion Sri Lankan rupees (Rf.518.7m) from 3.3 billion (Rf.389m). Maldives and Bangladesh brought 2.2 billion (Rf.259.3) of the revenue.

Aitken Spence is expanding and is currently building a leisure property in India. Group finance costs doubled to 232 million rupees from 114 million. In the 9-months interest costs rose 76.5 percent to 603.6 million.

The group said tourism brought in 348.7 million (Rf.41.1m) in operating profits during the nine months, with cargo logistics bringing in 190.1 million and strategic investments 2 billion.

Source: minimannews

Travel Magazines

It is on every travellers shoppping list to buy some tarvel magazines prior to the vacation. It is now easy to purchase online. With thousands of travel magazines released every month, it is very easy to get hold of your favouraite one. Travel magazines feature import information about the most popular travel destinations, holiday packages, shopping details, travel information etc.

Popularity of various magazines vary depending on various regions of the world. Online resources are the best way to keep in touch with the your favorite travel magazines from around the world.