Maldives
PERFECT TIMING
From just a
thousand to one million visitors in 40 years is impressive by any standards
but that’s the reality of the Maldives’ wholesale embrace of tourism, says Alan Orbell
E
ncourage your clients to time their arrival for a Maldives holiday on November 3 this year
and they could be in for a very pleasant surprise indeed. The Maldives Marketing and Promotion Corporation (Visit Maldives) is so confident of the one millionth visitor arriving on that date that some big celebrations are planned. That landmark statistic comes on the
back of several more which saw 2011 some 20% up on 2010, a record-breaking year and the country’s best ever according to Simon Hawkins, former Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Promotion Corporation. “Our resorts were full 74% of the time
in 2011 which puts us at number one in the world. “We had 931,000 visitors in 2011 with
Brits in second place making up 11% of the total – relatively flat. China has now become the number one supplier of visitors with around 200,000 people and India is also growing. In fact the whole of Europe was relatively flat but although our Europe figures were down three to four per cent Europeans do stay longer. “This year has started well with
Warm turquoise waters and soft white sands typify the Maldives. It has huge appeal for honeymooners, seen here at LUX Maldives
16 March 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
January a record-breaking month for the country and the freezing patch in Europe will probably give us a spike in numbers.” Hawkins’ optimism follows some less
than welcome publicity for the Maldives in the first few months of this year. First the spas were to be closed, but of course they weren’t, and then there was talk of banning alcohol and pork – the Maldives is, after all, a muslim nation, but the likelihood of that happening is close to zero. And then came the resignation of the
Maldives’ first democratically-elected president following a coup, which wasn’t really a coup, and now there are to be new elections. However, any unrest was
From The Front Line BETH ALCORN,
Product & Marketing Manager, Emirates Tours UK
“The Maldives continues to be a top choice with our clients, luring couples and honeymooners seeking a romantic and secluded setting. So far this year, LUX* Maldives has
been selling extremely well for us following its recent rebrand from Naiade and the introduction of more competitive rates. Another popular resort for us is Soneva Gili, selling well due to its strong special offers.” “We also expect last year’s trend for all-inclusives to continue."
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68