Maldives is competing in the “New 7 Wonders of Nature” Campaign

Male’, 28 January 2009; The Maldives archipelago has been nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign. This campaign is a process in which seven natural wonders of the world are chosen by people through a global poll which will be declared in the year 2011.



The campaign is being organized by the Swiss based New7Wonders Foundation after their success in organizing the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. 261 qualified national and multinational nominees are now competing to make it to the top 77.

Please vote for Maldives by visiting www.visitmaldives.com or www.new7wonders.com. Voting continues from January 7th until July 7th 2009 to determine the top 77 in each of the seven competing categories. The New7Wonders Panel of Experts will select the 21 finalists from the top 77 nominees.

We would like to call all Maldivians, fans and well wishers of Maldives to join our effort to make Maldives as one of the Natural Wonders of the world.
Source:visitmaldives.com

Maldives promoted at China International Travel Mart 2008

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board and representatives from Maldives tourism industry participated in the China International Travel Mart 2008 held from 20 to 23rd November 2008 at China New International Expo Centre in Shanghai.

A total of 13 tourism related companies from Maldives participated in the fair. The four day long fair attracted over 90,000 visitors. The visitors included 40,000 public and 50,000 travel trade and media. Maldives takes part in this fair every alternative year when it is held in Shanghai.

China has emerged as one of the most important and potential emerging markets for Maldives from Asia region. China attracted 35,797 visitors to Maldives till the end of October 2008. This is an increase of 15.5 percent compare to the same period last year. Last year Maldives received a total of 35,976 Chinese visitors.

MALDIVES ranked as the best Beach and Rest & Relaxation destination

The Maldives has been ranked as the Best Country Brand for Beach and Best Country Brand for Rest and Relaxation for the year 2008. Maldives also ranked 2nd in the Best Country Brand for Natural Beauty and 3rd in the Best Country Brand for Resort and Lodging Options.
The Country Brand Index was officially released during London’s World Travel Market in November 2008.

Country Brand Index is a comprehensive study of approximately 2,700 international business and leisure travellers from nine countries. It is conducted by FutureBrand, a global brand consultancy company and Weber Shandwick which is a public relations firm.

The main marketing slogan for the destination Maldives is “Maldives…the Sunny Side of Life”. The wellness and relaxation aspect is promoted under the theme of “Maldives…the Spiritual Side of Life”. Maldives was ranked number one in these two areas. Maldives emerged as the number one in both Beach and Rest and Relaxation categories after successfully competing with countries like Tahiti, Bahamas and Australia.
Maldives also won the ‘World’s Most Romantic Destination’ award at the WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS last year.

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives (Opening First Quarter 2009)

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, the first luxury resort in the Maldives to be located south of the equator, will offer guests a stylish experience in a spacious, boutique-style environment. Located on Addu Atoll, the resort is surrounded by more than six kilometres of picturesque coastline and nearly two kilometres of beautiful, white-sand beach. This unique, three-kilometre-long island also features 12 hectares of lush vegetation, 17,000 coconut palms, three natural lagoons and nature trails.

From private ocean retreats to tropical tree-house villas – unique to the Maldives – with panoramic views, finely appointed accommodation will be available in five distinct styles, and equipped with two iPods and a docking station, and other luxurious amenities.

The most discerning palates will be particularly well catered to. Khazaanaage will lead the restaurant selection with three distinctive living rooms focusing on the finest cuisine from the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Those who seek a culinary experience with even more of a difference will surely enjoy a cruise on our luxury yacht with a sensational lunch on the equator.

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La will offer innovative therapies in a secluded sanctuary and a unique yoga pavilion overlooking the Indian Ocean. Energetic guests will be able to take a speedboat to Gan Island and, by bicycle, explore five neighbouring islands connected by a 17-kilometre road. There is excellent snorkelling at the resort's house reef and snorkelling gardens close to the shoreline for less-experienced swimmers.

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa is a 70-minute flight from Malé and just an eight-minute boat ride from Gan International Airport on Addu Atoll.

J Resorts Handhufushi(Herethera)Seenu Atoll

J Resort Handhufushi is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and long stretches of white sandy beaches. This is the unspoiled natural beauty which helps us to forget the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and enjoy the relaxation we seek on a holiday

Your journey
Once you have arrived in the Maldives, you will need to take a transfer to J Resort Handhufushi do not worry, transfer arrangements are part of your holiday package and we will take care of them for you.

On arrival at the Malé International Airport
You will need to board a domestic flight to the Gan International Airport
this will take approximately 70 minutes.Then you will be taken directly to J Resort Handhufushi via speed boat, this will take approximately 20 minutes
Facilities available to you
Bar
Shopping
Sports & Recreation
Spa
Excursions
Water Sports Center
Dive Center
Dining
Entertainment
Your accommodations
Beach Villas
The 153 Beach Villas are individual wooden bungalows located on the beach, offering a beautiful view of the lagoon or ocean and with a private, walled-in backyard covered with white sand, chaise lounges, a shade umbrella and tropical plants

Jacuzzi Beach Villas
The 120 Jacuzzi Beach Villas are individual wooden bungalows located on the beach, offering a beautiful view of the lagoon or ocean and with a more spacious bedroom, a four poster bed, and a jacuzzi for two "under the stars" on top of the wooden decked, private, walled-in backyard with chaise lounges, a shade umbrella and tropical plants

All your accommodations are with the following
Flat screen televisions– DVD and CD players– J tranquillity bedding– Speaker phones with internationalcalling– Mini bar and wine cellar– Individually controlled air conditioning – Tropical décor– King size bed– Wood floor– Ceiling fan– Sitting area– Tea/coffee machine– Personal safe– Partially open-air bathroom with shower– Bath accessories and hair dryer– A porch with lounge furniture and nightly turndown service

Maldives showcased at World Travel Mart 2008

20 November 2008Male’, 19 November 2008; The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board and representatives from Maldives tourism industry participated in the World Travel Mart 2008 from 10 to 13th November 2008 at ExCel London. This is the biggest travel trade event held in the United Kingdom.A total of 70 tourism related companies from Maldives participated in the fair of which 33 companies represented resorts and hotels in the Maldives. Also travel agencies selling resorts, hotels and live-aboards participated in this fair. The three day long fair attracted over 50,000 visitors. Visitors include press, media and travel trade. This year’s fair attracted 5500 exhibitors representing over 200 countries and regions.This year, Maldives stand at WTM was re-designed to portray the dynamism of the tourism product developments in the destination Maldives.UK is the major generating market for Maldives with 17.8% of the market share. Maldives welcomed 89,952 visitors from UK by the end of September 2008.

MTPB holds Road Shows in three countries in South East Asia

Male’, 27 October 2008; Maldives Tourism Promotion Board together with the Maldives tourism industry held road shows in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Singapore on the 17th, 20th and 21st of October respectively.The main objectives of these road shows are to diversify further into South East Asian market. This new approach of promoting the Maldives as a destination for South East Asian visitors will further enhance the existing business collaboration and pave way for new business ties. South East Asia is a promising market in consideration of easy access to Maldives and a growing affluent population. It is the first time that MTPB has organized a road show targeting South East Asian market.The road shows were mainly targeted to the travel trade and media. Maldivian event in Kuala Lumpur was attended by over 50 participants, while Bangkok event welcomed over 130 participants and Singapore event was attended by over 70 participants. The attendees included travel agents, tour operators, airlines companies and the media. Presentation about the Maldives as tourist destination was given to the participants by Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. In addition, industry participants gave presentations about their products. During each of these events a raffle was held and winner won a holiday for two in Maldives with complements of Adaaran. Last year Maldives welcomed a total of 675,889 visitors. Asian market represented 144,363 visitors which is 23.3% of the market share.