FEATURE MALDIVES
10 kilometres from the nearest island. The uninhabited island covers an area
of 44,000m² plus a unique ‘water village’, separated from the main island by 850m of pure coral reef. Last autumn saw the opening of the
Jumeirah Dhevanafushi’s Ocean Pearls, a cluster of water villas 800 metres from the main island, suspended on platforms above the sea and entirely self-dependent. Facilities include a shared infinity pool, bar, Johara restaurant, in-house dining, library and Talise spa treatment rooms and a 24/7 boat limousine service.
www.jumeirah.com/maldives LUX* Island Resorts (formerly Naiade) has opened a Marine Biology
From The Front Line MAXINE ROBERTS
Head of Marketing Carrier “Last year was a very
strong one for the Maldives at Carrier; we were over 50% up against 2010 and our forward bookings for 2012 are very
encouraging too. The Maldives is now Carrier’s second best-selling destination and growing quickly behind Barbados. Sales to the Maldives now surpass Dubai, Mauritius and Egypt which have all previously held second place.”
JAMES HOGAN
Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer
“Malé is gateway to the premium leisure destination, the Maldives, and given the strong increase in visitation numbers we are seeing in the market, the time is right to launch services to this popular holiday destination. The commencement of the services in November was perfectly timed to coincide with the start of the busy Northern winter period. “Etihad’s schedule, which offers an attractive afternoon arrival and evening departure, has been carefully designed to offer customers maximum leisure time at their destination with overnight flights.”
Clockwise from right: Lounging in LUX Maldives; pampering in the Dusit Thani Devarana Spa; and Centara Ras Fushi
www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2012 25
entre on Dhidhoofinolhu, one of the biggest in the Maldives, dedicated to researching the presence and conservation of whale sharks in the South Ari Atoll waters. The island is 25 minutes seaplane
flight away from the capital Malé, and features four kilometres of silvery white beaches for the guests in the resort’s 193 villas and rooms. Facilities in the resort include a PADI
diving centre and full range of water sport activities, the luxury LUX* Me spa, two swimming pools, tennis courts, seven restaurants and six bars, two children’s clubs – PLAY for three to 12s and Studio 17 for 12 to 17 year-olds – and a private lounge at Malé International Airport.
http://about.luxislandresorts.com Another re-branding in 2011 was the
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa – the first Hyatt property in the Indian Ocean – including a new spa concept and a new restaurant concept. Nightly rates in the Park Hyatt are from $986pp, based on two sharing a Park Villa on a B&B basis or from $1,511pp, sharing a Park Villa on an all- inclusive basis.
www.maldives.
hadahaa.park.hyatt.com
The Velassaru, Maldives has recently launched its new Water Suite boasting a 10-metre private swimming pool perched on stilts over the lagoon waters. The outside terrace is
complemented by a gazebo and oversized infinity pool.
www.velassaru.com Celebrating its 40th anniversary
this year (it was one of the very first resorts to open in the Maldives) Kurumba has a new children’s club, ‘Majaa Kids'.
www.kurumba.com
The four-star Kuramathi Island Resort is now offering new Honeymoon Villas with pools.
www.kuramathi.com ALSO THIS YEAR Four Seasons Resorts Maldives has introduced some Family Beach Bungalows and Villas with pools and also has a new collection of Water Bungalows with pools. Positioned directly over the water with wide-reaching lagoon views, this upgraded accommodation integrates a private, glass-sided pool, accessible from bedroom and deck. Other developments from Four Seasons are Kuda Huraa’s Marine Discovery Centre, an interactive research and education centre that introduces guests and local school children to the conservation of both local and global marine ecosystems. The Centre features audio-visual
presentations on specific areas of conservation including turtles, coral reefs, sharks and dolphins. The resort has also introduced the
Night Spa with a choice of four 150-minute open-air lunar rituals on The Island Spa’s private, starlit beach.
www.fourseasons.com/maldives
Where To Book It THOMSON - 0871 231 5595
www.thomson.co.uk Maldives prices start from £1,499pp at the Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort,
MALDIVES Top Selling Tips...
• Early commitment… “We recommend agents get clients to commit as early as possible, as cheaper airline seats sell very quickly and once they have gone it can add a minimum of £100 pp to the quote”
NIKKI HAIN Product Manager Middle East, Indian Ocean, Premier Holidays
• Upsell for more commission… “Try to upsell to All Inclusive Plus as more often than not it includes items from the mini bar such as water and soft drinks”
DEBORAH WADHAMS Assistant Product Manager Indian Ocean, Gold Medal
• Family fun… “The Maldives is a haven for families and many resorts offer ample facilities and activities for children. It is becoming more affordable with options like Shangri-La Villingilli and resorts such as LUX Maldives which offer seasonal options of allowing families in one villa”
SHAMIRA KAUMAYA-HATT Commercial Director Sunset Faraway Holidays
Selling Tip
“Guests can easily twin the Maldives with Sri Lanka for a safari and beach break”
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