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INDIAN OCEAN


Mauritius is the longest-standing Indian Ocean destination and in spite of the challenges from the other islands retains its well-deserved reputation for outstanding levels of service in constantly upgraded hotels and resorts. Again, weddings and honeymoons are a key market for its 100+ hotels and resorts, most of which now offer spas. Sri Lanka received a major boost earlier this year when British Airways re-introduced direct fl ights. It is far and away the largest of the Indian Ocean islands and the best choice for clients who seek a lot more than white sandy beaches, suggests Carolina Svensson, Travel 2 Product Manager for the Indian Ocean & Middle East. “The country is extremely diverse and during a two-week holiday visitors can experience temples and ancient cities, explore the hill country, stop by tea plantations, stay in a colonial era plantation bungalow and spot wildlife including elephants and leopards, birds and bears. They can look too for blue whales and after a busy time exploring, visitors can enjoy quiet time relaxing in one of the beach resorts or smaller boutique hotels.” Other


Sri Lanka attractions include


the capital, Colombo, with its temples and


museums, national parks, the rock citadel of Sigirya and the ‘Cultural Triangle’ of Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnuwara. In terms of air access, there is now more


choice than ever before to the Indian Ocean. Air Mauritius and British Airways both offer direct fl ights to Mauritius; Sri Lankan Airlines and British Airways fl y directly from LHR to Sri Lanka and British Airways operates to the Mldives.


“Seychelles is unique with much more than sun, sand and sea. The islands’ diversity gives more than the feeling of just being on holiday – it gives a totally new


experience and memories to last a lifetime”


LENA HOREAU, MANAGER PR & NEWS BUREAU, SEYCHELLES TOURIST OFFICE


three a day to Sri Lanka. These connect with the 112 weekly fl ights from six UK airports to Dubai (Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow). Etihad, which operates from both


London and Manchester, offers 10 fl ights a week between Abu Dhabi and the Seychelles, and daily services from Abu Dhabi to both the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Qatar Airways fl ies twice daily from Doha in Qatar to the Maldives and thrice daily from Doha to Sri Lanka.


What’s New Airlines: Emirates will commence a


Sri Lankan Airlines also fl ies between


Colombo and the Maldives. Only Seychelles is without non-


stop fl ights but the Middle East carriers have more than taken up the slack to the Seychelles as well as the other three islands. Emirates, for example, has two fl ights a


day from Dubai to Maldives; two a day to Mauritius, one of which will be operated by the A380; two a day to Seychelles; and


daily Airbus A380 service from Dubai to Mauritius from December 16, replacing one of the existing three-class Boeing 777-300 services. First Choice and Thomson are to introduce new Dreamliner weekly fl ights from London Gatwick to Mauritius from summer 2014. Operators: Tailor-made specialist Indus has released a new programme of high-end Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays. For an introduction into both of the brochure’s headline destinations, Indus’ 16-day Island Odyssey combines the best of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. All of Sri Lanka’s main attractions are featured and the holiday concludes with a seven- night stay at the Palm Beach Resort & Spa in the Maldives; from £3275pp. Every booking generates a donation to the Indus Gives Back programme, which supports an aid project in rural Sri Lanka.


www.sellinglonghaul.com


September 2013 39


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