INDIAN OCEAN
INDIAN OCEAN
Island Gold
Another month sees another hotel open somewhere in the Indian
Ocean islands and, recession or not, visitors continue
to fl ock there, says Alan Orbell
J
ust how big an impact will the Olympic Games prove to have had on travel? The reality is that in spite of the seemingly ever-present spectre of the Olympics as one of several potential holiday booking hurdles to be overcome this year, three of the four main Indian Ocean islands have already struck some gold in terms of 2012 visitor arrivals. Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka have each recorded increased visitor numbers of one sort or another with only Seychelles facing a decline compared with 2011. The demise of Air Seychelles' direct services out of Europe last year will have done nothing to help that situation although Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have more than filled the breach with a host of one-stop services. But the fact that three of the main
Desroche Island's idyllic beach in the Seychelles lapped by the Indian Ocean's warm waters
players are claiming positive numbers attests to the ongoing popularity of these idyllic paradise islands, for couples, families and, of course, for weddings and honeymoons. Those lucky enough to have visited more than one of the four will almost certainly have a favourite but the reality is that they are all more than capable of providing your clients with the holiday of a lifetime. They all offer some of the most stunning beaches and crystal-clear
18 September 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
waters on the planet with all the watersports that go with them and all have a good range of accommodation although undoubtedly the biggest growth has been at the top end. Gourmet restaurants, spas and kids' clubs are now the norm right across the Indian Ocean. If your clients are looking for more than sun, sea and sand, Sri Lanka, largest of the four islands, which sits of the south-east tip of India, has a wide array of attractions and is rich in culture and heritage. Its varied landscape can offer your clients tea plantations, wildlife parks and spice gardens.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Maldives, which has some 1,192 coral islands, grouped in 26 atolls and spread across 35,000 square miles of ocean. It is largely one resort per island and transfers are usually by seaplane or boat from Malé International Airport. The Maldives are the ultimate chill-out destination, just perfect for couples and honeymooners although an increasing number of resorts offer kids' clubs too. The Seychelles received a major boost from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's honeymoon on the ultra- upmarket North Island resort in 2011. This is but one of several island resorts among the country's 115 granite and coral islands but there are plenty of
more affordable resorts and hotels on the main islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. The pretty capital of Victoria, the Vallee de Mai World Heritage Site on Praslin, Botanical Gardens, giant tortoises and Tea Factory are among the islands' attractions. The gem-shaped island of Mauritius has long been renowned for the high calibre of its service standards but there's plenty to do away from the resorts. There are lots of golf courses and increasing soft adventure options like quad-biking and ziplining. Colourful craft markets, French colonial houses, walking trails, the seven coloured earths of Chamarel, wildlife sanctuaries and eco-parks are all on the agenda. But whatever these islands' appeal, it's the beaches and warm aquamarine waters that will always offer the biggest lure. Perhaps an ideal opportunity for your clients to start preparing for the Rio Olympics in 2016!
What's New – Sri Lanka In Sri Lanka, Thai hotel group Centara will open its first two properties later this year. Both are four-star hotels with the 126-room Centara Passikudah Resort & Spa next to the beach at Passikudah, renowned for its long stretch of shallow coastline, while the 166-room Centara Ceysands
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 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92