28 Maldives


MALDIVES — MALAYSIA | DESTINATION Famed for its rare underwater


beauty, the profusion of vibrant colours and the abundance and variety of life under water it has fascinated divers and snorkellers ever since the Maldives was discovered as a diving destination. High levels of visibility – sometimes exceeding 50 metres – and warm temperatures throughout the year make diving in the Maldives a delight. Tourism accounts for 28


T


he Republic of Maldives is a formation of 1,190 coral islands making up


an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Only 200 of these islands are inhabited, half of which form exclusive resort islands. Sitting on the trading route


across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has been settled by many neighbouring countries, all of which have left a mark on the country’s language, beliefs, arts and attitudes. The mix of


cultures is especially evident in Maldivian arts. The music played with the local bodu-beru (big drum) resembles that of African drumming while the dhoni, a unique Maldivian sailboat, displays significant similarities to Arabian dhows. Promoted as ‘Maldives…


the sunny side of life’, it is little surprise that the country’s main attractions focus on its tropical landscapes, crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches.


percent of the GDP and more than 60 percent of foreign exchange receipts and, in 2013, the country welcomed a record 1.2 million visitors. The industry has grown exponentially across the islands, which started with just two resorts offering 280 rooms in 1972. Today, the Maldives offers 100 resorts and a total room inventory of 25,000. Little wonder then that it was commended as the ‘World’s Leading Island Destination 2013’ at the World Travel Awards. This is the third time the Maldives has won this award and regularly scoops other categories, including Hulhule Island Hotel for World’s Leading Airport Resort 2013, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island for World’s Leading Water


Maldives at Arabian Travel Market Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation AS7050


Villa Resort 2013, Baros Maldives for World’s Most Romantic Resort 2013 and Baros Maldives for World Leading Island Villas 2013. Online reservations service


Agoda has named the Maldives as the world’s number one honeymoon destination. Agoda’s Global Honeymoon Survey, carried out in January and February 2014, asked more than 15,000 visitors to choose their ideal destination, with 20 percent selecting the Indian Ocean nation. The government has now implemented a Tourism


Masterplan to grow tourism arrivals to 1.75 million by 2021 and expand its room inventory by welcoming expressions of interest for resort development from 46 companies submitting applications in early 2014. Maldives President Abdulla


Yameen has reportedly vowed to open 10 resorts a year, pledging 50 new resorts during his five- year term. Some 60 islands have been given permission for resort development, but at present only two to three new resorts open on average per year.


Famed for its rare underwater beauty, the profusion of vibrant colours and the abundance and variety of life under water, it has fascinated divers and


snorkellers ever since the Maldives was discovered as a diving destination


Green Sea turtle Maldives fact file


Maldives consists of a double chain of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. The country’s territory spreads 90,000 square kilometres making it one of the world’s most geographically dispersed nations


Population: 330,000 Climate: Maldives has a tropical-monsoon climate Local time: UTC +5 Currency: Rufiyaa (MVR) Language: Maldivian Getting there: Malé International Airport is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is served by a number of global carriers, including flydubai, Oman Air and Qatar Airways


Faafu Atoll, Filitheyo Island


Malaysia Petronas Towers For Q1 to Q3 2013, it


welcomed 18.7 million visitors, compared to 18.1 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Full-year 2012 tourism arrivals totalled 25.03 million and predictions are that 2013 full-year figures will exceed 26 million. Figures for 2014 are expected


A


country of diversity, Malaysia offers up a cultural heritage


combining Malay, Chinese and Indian roots with indigenous people such as the Orang Asli, Dayaks, Ibans and Muruts. Geographically, the country comprises 13 states and three federal territories. Peninsular Malaysia, or West Malaysia,


holds 11 states and two federal territories. East Malaysia, or Malaysian Borneo, includes the two states of Sabah and Sarawak and the third federal territory, the island of Labuan. With more than 55 percent of


the world’s population residing in Asia Pacific and with easy access by air, land and sea, Malaysia is a popular choice for travellers.


Malaysia at Arabian Travel Market Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board AS6420


to show even further growth as Malaysia celebrates its fourth Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) with the theme ‘Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia’. The VMY 2014 sees a series of year-long special events and activities, which will contribute to the government’s target of 36 million visitor arrivals and MYR168 billion (US$50 billion) in receipts by 2020. Capital city, Kuala Lumpur,


offers a wealth of attractions and receives nine million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited cities in the world. Landmarks include the twin Petronas Towers, Merdeka Palace, National Museum and Central Market. Kuala Lumpur is also home


to a wide range of hotels and resorts. This year, the city will welcome the world’s first-ever


With more than 55 percent of the world’s population residing in Asia Pacific and with easy access by air, land and sea, Malaysia is a popular choice for travellers


Harrods Hotel. A collaboration between Qatar Holding and Jerantas Sdn Bhd, the luxury development is being built on a 2.21-hectare site between Jalan Raja Chulan and Jalan Conlay. In addition to its hotel offering, the project will also comprise office and residential


space and a retail podium. Meanwhile, Canadian hotel brand Fairmont will enter the Malaysian market in 2017 with a 62-storey hotel located close to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The hotel will offer 750 guest rooms, six dining outlets and 2,787 square metres of meeting and banquet space. Attractions in the capital


Malaysian Borneo


include the Islamic Arts Museum, which offers one of the best collections of decorative arts across the Islamic world, including textiles, jewellery and calligraphy. Visitors can also check out the Menara KL observation tower, built atop


the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve and, at 421 metres, it offers the highest view of the city. Malaysian Borneo is a big


draw card for travellers. With its individual states, Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo also boasts the country’s five highest mountains, the tallest being Mount Kinabalu. Here, visitors can engage with orangutans, explore the Gunung Mulu National Park, or scuba dive off Sipadan Island.


Malaysia fact file


Since independence, Malaysia has experienced one of the best economic records in Asia, with GDP growing an average 6.5 percent for almost 50 years


Population: 28 million Climate: Malaysia's climate is categorised as equatorial – hot and humid throughout the year Local time: UTC +8 Currency: Ringgit (MYR) Language: Malay, English Getting there: Kuala Lumpur International Airport is one of Asia’s major aviation hubs and is the home of Malaysia Airlines, which serves more than 60 destinations. The airport handles around 40 million passengers a year


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