p30 hotels jan30 27/1/09 14:01 Page 30
news hotels
ttglive.com
Interview Ahmed Siyam Mohamed
Maldives
agent is
all at sea
Ahmed Siyam Mohamed (below),
a former travel agent, has built a
portfolio of resorts in the Maldives.
Now he is looking to expand farther
afield, he tells Matt Parsons
Iru Fushi, which opened in August 2008, lies within the Noonu atoll, a new area of development in the Maldives
A
s our seaplane headed from Male Bidding wars Global outlook
to the new Maldivian resort of “We were given the highest marks,” Although he won the bid, I ask if the timing
Iru Fushi, we had no idea the Siyam boasts. “I created the resort might be unfortunate, with the global economy
owner was onboard. concept, and wrote the environment and security issues putting pressure on tourism.
It was only when we approached and he report. We give high consideration “I am happy we deal with the world,” he
casually twirled his finger to tell the pilot to to the environment. We don’t cut replies. “Now we are targeting eastern Europe,
take a slow circle of the island to give us a anything, we build around. That is Russia and the Middle East a lot more.
better look that it started to become clear. how the build concept should be.” “The Maldives needs 800,000 tourists a year
A former travel agent, Ahmed Siyam Strong green credentials helped to have 80% occupancy rate. Our company in
Mohamed is an elusive character with a him win the bid, and Vilu Reef Beach particular needs 80,000 tourists a year, which is
burgeoning portfolio of resorts and a Resort & Spa was born. a 10% market share. Two billion people travel
disarmingly positive outlook. Building didn’t actually start until worldwide each year, so 80,000 is not much”.
Siyam has built up his Sun Hotels & Resorts 1998, but with careful planning behind Despite his love for the Maldives, Siyam has
empire from scratch. In his early 20s he him, he constructed the resort in one year. recognised that to grow he must look farther
worked in various hotels, as a receptionist, in Two further bids were made, and won, afield, and has bought land in Bali and the Sey-
food and beverage, and store accounts, be- between that time and 2006, leading to chelles. But for now, his focus is closer to home,
fore setting up his own travel agency in 1990. Olhuveli Beach & Resort Spa and Vilu and his message to UK travellers reflects the
Armed with an investment of just $900, he Reef Beach Resort & Spa. positivity which is clearly part of his make-up.
set up Maldives-based Sun Travel by buying In 2006, Siyam made a fourth bid – this “People must not stop holidays,” he says,
a fax machine, a table and a few chairs. time for virgin island Iru Fushi. smiling. “Keep up your way of life.”
He credits a trip to ITB in 1991 as a major Again, Siyam cites green credentials Thomson is offering seven nights half-board
boost for his business, but the real catalyst playing a big part in the bid’s success: from £1,149 per person based on two sharing.
came in 1992 when the Maldivian government “We recycle waste as fertiliser. Sewage is Includes return flights from Gatwick.
opened up a bidding system for ownership of treated, then used for plant watering. Solar
the islands. panels heat the swimming pools.” ■ Indian Ocean feature, p56
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