FEATURE THE MALDIVES
From The Front Line
SHAMIRA KAUMAYA COMMERCIAL MANAGER SUNSET FARAWAY HOLIDAYS “The Maldives was our fastest-growing destination in 2010 and continues to be a top
choice for couples, families and honeymooners seeking romance and retreat. We have seen a growing demand for all-round value and resorts offering top-of-the range facilities and activities. This includes value-for-money meal plan options from premium all- inclusive to default half board, which offer flexibility in dining-around options. "We have also seen growth in resorts
not offering ‘super-rich’ prices but affordable luxury and this appears to be continuing in popularity into 2011. Our best-selling properties continue to be the top-end with the likes of One&Only Reethi Rah, Shangri-la Villingili and Anantara due to their finesse combined with immaculate service standards and fabulous villa accommodation.”
SHAFIQUE COCKAR HEAD OR PRODUCT & MARKETING ENCHANTING HOLIDAYS “Since launching our Maldives programme in November last year I am reasonably satisfied with
our progress. Obviously, travel agents recognise us as a Mauritius specialist and it will take a bit of time for them to think about us for Maldives (and Seychelles). We feature six top-class resorts in the Maldives and offer a basic commission of 13%, so an agent could earn in the region of £700-£800 on one booking. The new Goods and
20 March 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Services tax of 3.5%, of course, added a fair amount to our prices as our resorts are all the luxury-end market and are not cheap. However, some of our featured resorts did come up with some decent offers that are helping sales along. We are working on increasing our selection of islands and four-star resorts too.”
PAUL ARTITZONE MANAGING DIRECTOR, OSBORNE & EBEL “Business to the four- star islands is growing strongly. The five-star market is also now
picking up after rate reductions. We offer live availability to over 70 islands in all categories. Exiting offers are available for Summer 2011 as well as a range of staff offers and incentives. We have carried over 4,000 passengers to the Maldives so far this year. Our rates for 2011/12 will be released by the end of March."
GABRIELE SCHOLES HALLMARK TRAVEL, EAST GRINSTEAD, SUSSEX “Most of our clients who enquire about the Maldives have a fair idea of what it should be like.
Therefore it often comes down to the choice of island and of course their budget. Honeymooners tend to compare it with the Seychelles and the Caribbean. We have a large percentage of experienced and more mature travellers who like to combine a stay in the Maldives with other destinations such as Sri Lanka or use it as a stopover for visiting family in New Zealand or Australia.”
"The Maldives was our fastest-growing destination in 2010 and continues to be a top choice"
FIRST CHOICE
0871 664 9014,
www.firstchoice.co. Seven nights at Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort are from £1,299pp (saving £151pp), based on two sharing. Departing May 22, the price includes scheduled flights from Gatwick, half- board accommodation, seaplane transfers, taxes and surcharges. As well as watersports, facilities include an infinity pool, gym, Sun Spa, several restaurants and bars and a children’s playground.
SUNSET FARAWAY HOLIDAYS
020 8774 7100,
www.sunset.co.uk Seven nights in Velassaru are from £1229pp in a deluxe bungalow with breakfast and flights with Qatar Airways, speed-boat transfers and airport taxes, a saving of £250pp. Travel May 1 – July 24 2011. The same free-night package in Kurumba is £1109pp, saving £270pp.
SEASONS
01244 206000,
www.seasons.co.uk Stay seven nights and pay for four (saving £2910 per couple) at the Soneva Gili by SixSenses in a Soneva Gili Villa Suite, with breakfast, flights from London with British Airways and speedboat transfers. From £2385pp and valid May
12 – Oct 31 2011. A similar package in a Crusoe Villa in Soneva Fushi by SixSenses (stay seven nights pay for five) saves £2250 per couple. From £2700pp including seaplane transfers. Available May 12-October 11, 2011.
CARRIER
0161 492 1391,
www.carrier.co.uk Quote ‘Spring’ to get seven nights (paying for five) and half-price resort speedboat transfers in the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, a multi award-winning resort featuring villas and suites. Lagoon Villas are set over water with direct sea access, butler and a speedboat on hand 24 hours a day. Saving up to £910 per couple, prices are from £1820pp including breakfast. Valid Apr 1–May 31 2011.
KUONI
01306 747 008,
www.kuoni.co.uk Seven nights on a room and breakfast basis at Naiade’s Diva, in a deluxe villa, including Sri Lankan Airlines flights from Heathrow, with transfers in resort and access to the VIP lounge in Male airport. Prices for 2011 are from £1,819 pp.
ITC CLASSICS
01244 355 570
www.itcclassics.co.uk Save 35% on accommodation in the Diva by booking at least 30 days in advance of arrival. Stay seven nights with breakfast from £2,085pp (saving up to £470pp), based on two sharing a deluxe room, including British Airways flights from London Gatwick and transfers. Valid until July 312011 (25% valid May 1 to 31 July 31 2011, 35% at other times)
Left: a 'Beach Revives' room at the new Jumeirah Dhevanafushi; Right: the Vilu Beach Resort
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