FEATURE LUXURY HOLIDAYS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
Luxury Holidays in the Indian Ocean
DREAM TIME!
For clients asking for a holiday that
delivers on the idyll of clear turquoise seas, bone-white beaches and
swaying palms, look no further than the tropical Indian Ocean islands, says Nicki Grihault
superb excursions such as swimming with the turtles and manta rays and multi-centre options, the Indian Ocean, vast and diverse, offers the experience of a lifetime. And, points out Sandra Harrison,
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Product Manager – Indian Ocean, Africa, Asia & Australasia for Elegant Resorts, the region “is also serviced by direct flights from London and current offers are stronger than ever, with no compromise on quality or service”. The Indian Ocean is selling well for
Elegant Resorts, with the Maldives in particular seeing strong growth in 2012, says Harrison. Indian Ocean bookings rose more
than 18-20% year-to-date in the first quarter of 2012 for Sunset Faraway Holidays, which says political changes
14 May 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
ith fabulous hotels, exquisite cuisine, stunning beaches, fantastic diving,
in February haven’t affected tourism to 90-plus Robinson Crusoe-style resort
islands in the Maldives, many of which continue to innovate.
Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort
and Spa opened The Bubble Lounge Champagne bar last December. Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa opened the country’s first nine- hole golf course for guests in March and LUX* Maldives will stage a new Underwater Festival this month (May 14-20). New openings from strong international brands Park Hyatt, Residence Hotels and Viceroy will further increase the country’s profile. With the world’s largest collection of
five-star hotels with service to match, Mauritius remains popular. It’s selling well for Travel 2, which took its first step into the luxury market with a
Simply Luxury brochure with premium/all- inclusive products last December.
Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, The Oberoi and One&Only Le St Geran are also proving popular. Competitive offers include 50% off seven nights in an Ocean View Deluxe Room at Starwood’s new St. Regis Mauritius, priced from £1,699pp with international flights with Sunset Faraway Holidays including full board upgrade, with spa credit and complimentary Champagne, from September 15 to December 20. The Seychelles achieved record arrivals last year, including an 8%
Pictured: Powdery beaches of the Indian Ocean; Opposite, from left: Dusit Thani Maldives, Niyama by Per Aquum, LUX* Hotels excursion
Selling Tip
Repeat visitors are drawn by Reunion Island, which offers excellent quality with incredible and unusual landscapes
©SAKIS PAPADOPOULOS
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