Indian Ocean
INDIAN SIGNS M
The Indian Ocean island nations are united by their stunning beauty and once-in-a-lifetime appeal, but each can point to a unique and appealing character, says Jane Anderson
auritius, The Seychelles, The Maldives and Sri Lanka are among the most beautiful
destinations in the world, known for their stunning turquoise waters, powder- white sands and now enticing value- added recession-beating special deals. The Seychelles found itself in the news
in April when Royal couple William and Kate spent 10 nights on North Island (
www.north-island.com), a world- renowned eco-haven. However with clients continuing to tighten their belts and competition from other destinations keen, the Indian Ocean can be a challenging region to sell. While the Seychelles sets itself apart as
a once-in-a-lifetime destination, Mauritius and The Maldives are happy to keep standards high but bend to the demand for all-inclusive options and special offers. James Bell of Turquoise Holidays advises: “If your clients are flexible with
24 September 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
their length of stay many resorts and hotels offer free nights, such as stay for 14 nights but pay for seven at Constance Prince Maurice, or stay 10 but pay for six at The One&Only St Geran. Both resorts are in Mauritius. “With the strong euro many of our clients are finding the Indian Ocean as affordable as Europe for family holidays. Many resorts have children's and teens clubs and several let kids stay free. “Mauritius works really well during the
UK summer as the temperatures and humidity are not excessive,” added Bell. To get the most for clients’ money,
many operators are recommending two- centre options, such as Dubai and The Maldives or Mauritius and Reunion. Two- island combinations work well in The Seychelles especially for honeymooners. Hayes & Jarvis has partnered with Emirates on its latest brochure to promote Dubai and the Indian Ocean.
A boost for Sri Lanka is the operator’s
new tours in Yala National Park and on the island’s east coast. Both are intended as add-ons to beach
stays. The three-day Yala tour costs from £299 and is recommended for clients looking for safari options that are cheaper than Kenya or South Africa. Many tour operators are turning to the
growing number of premium all-inclusive options across the Indian Ocean where spa, golf or leisure activities like catamaran cruises are also included. Shamira Kaumaya, commercial director
at Sunset Faraway Holidays said: “The demand for high-end premium all- inclusive is working well in destinations such as The Maldives and Mauritius, and to some extent replicating the Sandals all-inclusive model which has worked so well in the Caribbean.” Competitively-priced four-star all- inclusive hotels or resorts with the
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