The Insider
Soneva Secret CREDIT: Stevie Mann
“ For travellers who want to make a meaningful
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but stresses that “there’s so much more to do”. “Luxury resorts are offering more dining
outlets and different experiences, and are becoming quite creative,” he says. As part of its year-round events calendar, Soneva Stars, Soneva regularly welcomes guest chefs to host exclusive dinners and wellness experts to hold workshops. “There’s always something new that’s happening which our repeat guests are keen to experience,” says Glasby. With a 55% repeat rate at Soneva Fushi and 35% at Soneva Jani, it seems to be paying off. Similarly, Patina Maldives offers its signature
Pathways programme, the latest instalment of which has seen guests enjoy exclusive concerts, tennis lessons with professional player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and shiatsu and acupuncture sessions. Knowing a resort’s sustainability credentials is also increasingly important. “Clients are more concerned about giving back,
especially those who have been travelling there for a long time, as they want to support locals and ensure the destination remains unspoiled,” adds Harris.
impact, Cochrane suggests booking day trips to explore local islands in the same atoll. At hotels such as Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, guests can take a dhoni (traditional Maldivian boat) to visit local communities and get a glimpse into their way of life. Ultimately, keeping your clients hooked on the
Maldives – and repeat bookings rolling in – rests on building an in-depth knowledge of the destination to match them with the resort that ticks all of their boxes. So, if your clients are becoming disenchanted with the islands, now might be the time to clue up. O
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This August, Dan Salmon, founder of Never A Wasted Journey, spent three-and-a-half weeks in the Maldives. He shares his insight.
“We stayed at six properties – Niyama Private Islands, Gili Lakanfushi, Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani, Intercontinental Maldives and One&Only Reethi Rah. Each offered something completely different, but one that really surprised me was Intercontinental. The service was some of the best we had. Gili Lakanfushi and Soneva were both brilliant for my three young children. While I was away I posted a lot on social media to inspire people and show them what they could be missing – this brought in lots of new enquiries, especially from those who didn’t know where to book. The trip also really helped my knowledge, so I know how to match clients with the right resort. Within two months I’d made 10 bookings.”
20
ASPIRETRAVELCLUB.CO.UK THE INSIDER NOVEMBER 2024
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