FEATURE LUXURY HOLIDAYS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
increase in UK visitors. Although positioned as a once-in-a-lifetime destination, with its stunning natural beauty reason enough to visit, with more luxury resorts available and recent increased airlift via the Middle East, The Seychelles is becoming more affordable, without compromising on quality. Last year’s Raffles Resort on Praslin, with pool villas offering 24-hour butler service, was followed by the 150-room and suites Kempinski Seychelles Resort which opened at Baie Lazare on Mahé this March complete with kids’ club, spa, watersports centre and a casino. “Sri Lanka is good at shabby chic, and
heads the pack in design and culture,” says James Grace-Jayasundera of Ampersand Travel. “It’s half the price of the Maldives, and although the service isn’t as slick it’s more joyful.” On Condé Nast’s hotlist for 2012, Sri
Lanka offers visitors a cultural richness and is second only to Africa for big wildlife. For example, Yala National Park is among the world’s best wildlife reserves for spotting leopards and blue whales are spotted around the south and east coasts. The island’s variety has made it
increasingly popular with luxury travellers who don’t want to just fly and flop, and families. Luxury surfing is a new trend, and the recently opened Ulagalla Resort in Thirappane, with
“Sri Lanka is good at shabby chic and leads the Indian Ocean pack when it comes to design and culture”
Maldivian-style villas on stilts, offers eco- luxury, at an unbeatable price. Twin-centre holidays are on the rise,
with increased airlift to the Indian Ocean via Dubai and Abu Dhabi and connecting flights from Southern Africa.
What’s New Air Seychelles pulled out of the UK in January. Etihad Airways has launched flights to the Seychelles (four times a week) and to the Maldives (daily), while Qatar Airways almost doubled its Seychelles flights to daily last June. Recent infrastructure developments in Sri Lanka include a new port and second international airport in Hambantota in December. Sri Lankan Airlines is expanding its
inexpensive Air Taxis network, which operates to several tourist destinations and the hill country and, last November, a new motorway that halved the driving times from Colombo to Galle opened. A deluxe compartment has been
added on the Colombo to Kandy train. Seventeen Maldivian-style resorts are planned in Kalpitya, Sri Lanka on the west coast, along with an 18-hole golf course, underwater amusement park, wildlife spotting towers and a new domestic airport.
Tourism Talk CAROLINE LOEVNER
Sales & Marketing Manager Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
“With some of the highest service standards in the Indian Ocean and ultra- luxury properties, Mauritius has earned its reputation as an exclusive aspirational destination – a playground for the rich and famous. “With competitive rates, a four- or
five-star holiday is more accessible and affordable than many consumers realise, especially during the UK summer. Once
THE INDIAN OCEAN Top Selling Tips...
• Indian Ocean luxury isn't always expensive... “Affordable all-inclusive resorts in Mauritius, Sri Lanka and the Maldives even include excursions, spa treatments and watersports”
JULIET DARLINGTON Indian Ocean Product Manager Hayes & Jarvis
• Take the teenagers... “Teen clubs are becoming increasingly available, offering the chance to learn new skills such as water-skiing and join team games”
SHAMIRA KAUMAYA-HATT Commercial Director Sunset Faraway Holidays
• Understand room types... “A water villa is unique and private to spend time in, while a beach villa has private pool and direct beach access”
CAROLINA SVENSSON Product & Purchasing Manager - Middle East & Indian Ocean, Travel 2
• Go South in Mauritius… “We like Bel Ombre, a nature reserve stretching from the mountains to the turquoise ocean, offering land and water- based activities”
LOUISE STANION Product Manager - Africa, Cox & Kings
Mauritius overcomes the perception that luxury means expensive, there is opportunity for continued healthy growth in this sector. “The launch of LUX* Hotels, with
affordable all-inclusive options, should help kick-start new ideas of luxury.”
BERNADETTE WILLEMIN Director of Marketing for Europe, The Seychelles “The Seychelles Islands
are a preferred destination for luxury travellers, offering serenity, barefoot elegance and exclusivity, in harmony with the environment. “The honeymoon choice of the future
King of England, we achieved record arrivals last year, including an 8% increase in UK visitors. New International brands Raffles and Kempinski now join the respected Four Seasons, Banyan Tree and Hilton, further strengthening the luxury segment. Although no longer served by Air Seychelles, a number of upmarket Middle Eastern airlines fly to the islands from the UK. “We continue to position ourselves as
a key honeymoon destination, running workshops and online training for agents and roadshows. Our next is after WTM in November.”
From The Front Line MIKE TAYLOR
Product and Marketing Manager, Indian Ocean, Africa, Australasia, ITC
“The Indian Ocean remains popular with luxury travellers, offering resorts with exceptional service and quality. Recent openings NIYAMA by Per AQUUM in The Maldives, Trou Aux Biches in Mauritius and Raffles Praslin in The Seychelles have sparked increased interest, likely to continue with further openings this year.”
www.sellinglonghaul.com • May 2012 15
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