LUXURY HOLIDAYS: Indian Ocean
“Offer added value. Our clients know we always try to ensure there is something more, whether it’s a room upgrade or an upgrade to half-board”
JENNIFER ATKINSON, CEO, ITC CLASSICS
Matthew Rushbrooke, General Manager Western & Oriental
A new international airport has opened in Mattala in the south.
Where to book it SOVEREIGN LUXURY TRAVEL -
resort and Gan International Airport in Addu Atoll. It also features the fi rst golf course in the Maldives.
shangri-la.com/male/villingiliresort. Coco Collection opens Sankhara Villas in Mauritius from April 2013, its fi rst venture outside of the Maldives.
cococollection.com Angsana Balaclava has created a
new culinary experience, Epicurean Delight, which offers guests a luxurious and sensual experience of Angsana Balaclava’s exotic culinary art, drawing on indigenous Mauritian infl uences.
angsana.com/en/balaclava LUX Belle Mare Mauritius has launched two new restaurants, ‘East’ and ‘Senses’, both capturing the fl avours of Asia.
luxresorts.com
Facing page, clockwise: Maia Seychelles, signature villa; time to dine on North Island, Seychelles and a restaurant with a view at Conrad Maldives. This page, top: North Island Seychelles, and Oberoi Mauritius
Tourism talk According to the tourist board in Sri Lanka, total arrivals from the UK in 2011 and in 2012 are 106,082 and 114,218 respectively, which is a 7.7% increase over the previous year. The occupancy rate of fi ve-star hotels was 90.2% in 2011 and 76.4% in 2012. With the advent of peace in Sri Lanka there has been a marked increase of luxury accommodation such as boutique hotels and star-class properties. There are 16 new hotel projects underway across the country and there will be international chain hotels such as Shangri-La, Marriott, Sheraton and Hyatt Regency to follow. Some of these projects will be complete by 2015.
0844 415 1936 A week in Mauritius, leaving September 8, with two free nights, is £1,485pp. The deal includes Air Mauritius fl ights from Heathrow, seven nights’ half-board at the Lux Belle Mare in a Junior Suite, airport lounge access and private transfers.
sovereign.com RAINBOW TOURS - 020 7666 1250
Seven nights in an Ocean View Villa at the MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa, Seychelles, is from £4,870pp. Included is breakfast and dinner, fl ights from London via Abu Dhabi to Seychelles and private transfers, for travel May 11-December 23.
rainbowtours.co.uk SIGNATURE FROM THOMAS COOK
- 0844 871 6650 Seven nights at Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Maldives, is from £2,029pp (saving £299 per couple). Valid for travel on 16 June, the price includes fl ights from Gatwick with British Airways, accommodation in a deluxe water villa on a half-board basis and speedboat transfers.
thomascooksignature.com KUONI - 01306 747008
Seven nights’ half-board at Maradiva Villas Mauritius, in a luxury suite, villa including fl ights, private transfers and two-day cookery school is from £3,076pp for an October 5 departure.
www.kuoni.co.uk DIVE WORLDWIDE- 0845 1306980 be pampered on a liveaboard holiday aboard MV Orion, a luxury safari boat. From £2,495pp including fl ights, seven nights onboard with full-board and dive pack.
diveworldwide.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com
How would you sum up the allure of Indian Ocean luxury?
Picture-perfect postcard scenery! The region meets clients’ tropical island dreams and exceeds expectations with outstanding service.
Describe the distinctiveness of each island group
The Maldives’ luxury islands offer privacy and pampering, making them ideal honeymoon spots and they also have world-class snorkelling and diving. The Seychelles boasts
Robinson Crusoe-style islands that are ideal for island-hopping. Mauritius is best for activities, with world-class golf courses, a melting-pot history and local dining opportunities. Child- friendly resorts make Mauritius good for families. Sri Lanka has a wealth of wildlife-spotting opportunities and cultural World Heritage sites alongside rustic beaches for a holiday that mixes passions.
What’s the perfect selling tip for agents to use?
There is a huge range of luxury properties to consider in the Indian Ocean, so make sure you know what is of most importance to the client in order to direct them to the resort that most perfectly suits their needs. Is it golf, water-villas, a house reef or engaging children’s clubs?
Sample Package
Western & Oriental offers seven nights with half board in the four-star+ Lux Grand Gaube in Mauritius, from £1,229 pp.
wandotravel.com/holiday/mauritius/lux- grand-gaube/
Meet the Operator
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