and it is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at just 7ft 7in (2.3 metres). No country compares with the Maldives when it comes to the risks posed by climate change, forcing its tourism sector to focus on environmental issues and many resorts to commit to green issues. Successfully too. The 62-villa Taj Exotica Resort & Spa – the closest luxury resort to the international airport at Malé – was voted one of the ‘World’s best ECO-Luxury Resorts’ in the 2010 Conde Nast Gold List. It operates a ‘Luxury with a conscience’ programme while Soneva Six Senses Fushi has a ‘Waste to Wealth’ programme and is aiming for complete carbon neutrality. It also has an organic herb and vegetable garden. For visitors, initiatives like that of the
Waldorf Astoria's Beach House Maldives are what bring home the realities of environmental concerns. The resort has introduced a coral reef preservation programme joining the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru and the two Taj resorts, both with coral propagation projects for some time. Naiade’s five-star Diva resort has
introduced a new Swim with Whale Sharks programme, already being a supporter of the Maldives' first fully regulated, and largest, Marine Protected Area (MPA), FenMaaDhiguRan. There's no doubt that the 2009 introduction of British Airways’ first scheduled services into the islands has had a profoundly positive impact on the Maldives’ fortunes. The airline operates flights to the
Maldives three times a week out of London-Gatwick each Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 19.10 returning from Malé on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 13.20 local time. Prices start at £722 return. Many visitors to the Maldives choose
to break the journey with Dubai and Sri Lanka being popular stopovers. Emirates flies 14 times a day out of the UK from Heathrow (five times a
The Velassaru's over-water bungalows typify the most popular Maldives' accommodation options
TOP SELLING TIPS Sell the Maldives to
couples of all ages, families and divers
Although there’s been
much focus on top-end resorts, there are smaller and more affordable options too and an increasing number of all- inclusive opportunities
For divers, the Maldives is
recognised as one of the best places in the world to enjoy this activity
The Maldives guards its
fragile environment strongly so for clients who are concerned about the eco- system, this is a good place to send them
Marriage is not possible in
the Maldives but the islands are hugely popular for honeymoons and renewals of vows
day), Gatwick (three), Birmingham (two), Manchester (two), Newcastle (one) and Glasgow (one) to connect in Dubai with 13 flights a week on to the Maldives. SriLankan Airlines offers direct flights to Malé (on Sundays, Mondays and Thursday from Heathrow at 21.25 to arrive 12.45 next day) and others via Colombo. The carrier operates daily from London to Colombo and up to six times daily from Colombo to Malé.
WHAT'S NEW The Maldivian government decided back in 2007 that they would permit some resort developments on a few of the ‘native’ islands that had previously been out of bounds to foreign visitors. Since then, the islands have seen a steady expansion of the Maldives’ accommodation portfolio, further boosted by improved flight options. And still they come. Due to open
CONSTANCE HALAVELI RESORT NORTH ARI ATOLL • Free nights & early booking offers
• Stay 6, pay 4; stay 9, pay 6; stay 12, pay 8; stay 15, pay 10 - Valid for stay between 01 Mar – 30 Apr & 01 Oct – 21 Dec 11
SHERATON MALDIVES FULL MOON RESORT & SPA NORTH MALE ATOLL • Free nights & early booking offers
• Book 60 days in advance and receive special discounted rates - Valid for stays between 01 Mar 11 – 09 Jan 12
• Stay 7, pay 5 - Valid for stays between 01 May – 31 July 11
• Stay 7, pay 6 - Valid for stays between 01 Mar – 30 Apr & 01 Aug – 23 Dec 11
• Stay 14, pay 10 - Valid for stays between 01 Mar – 23 Dec 11
MALDIVES SPECIAL OFFERS
VIVANTA BY TAJ - CORAL REEF NORTH MALE ATOLL • Early booking offer & upgrade meal plan
• Book 60 days in advance and receive special discounted rates & meal plan upgrade from BB to HB or HB to FB - Valid for stays between 01Apr – 31 Aug 11
For our full product range & special offers please visit our website
ANGSANA VELAVARU SOUTH NILANDE ATOLL • Special discounted rates
• Valid for stays between 01 Mar – 31 Oct 11
All above offers are subject to availability. Terms & Conditions Apply
Request online with the true specialist
www.osborneandebel.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2011 15
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