Oman Air to come back to the Maldives

Oman Air to come back to the Maldives

Oman Air will resume its service between Muscat and Malé in the Maldives.

Flights will recommence for the winter season from October 28th and will be operated by the new Boeing 737 aircraft.

Oman Air flights from Muscat to Maldives will operate on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the flight from Maldives to Muscat will operate on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The Maldives is a beautiful chain of 26 ring atolls, made up of more than 1,000 coral islands, located only three and a half hours away from Oman.

Well known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs, the Maldives is an incredibly popular tourist destination with an increasing number of international visitors arriving year on year.

Abdulaziz Al Raisi, chief executive of Oman Air, said: “We are delighted to be resuming our Maldives route and look forward to welcoming our valued Oman Air guests on board our latest Boeing 737 aircraft.

“We thoroughly encourage our friends from Europe and the rest of our network, flying to the Maldives to stop over and explore Oman en route.

“Our new Maldives service offers holidaymakers the perfect opportunity to explore Muscat, the metropolitan capital of Oman before escaping to the beautiful shores of the Maldives.”

The relaunch of the Maldives service comes at an exciting time, as Oman Air recently started their flights to Istanbul in June with operations scheduled to Casablanca in July and Moscow in October.

UK guests drive tourism development in the Maldives

The Maldives has announced an 18.7 per cent increase in UK visitor arrivals during November 2017, when compared with the same month in 2016.

In total, 9,579 UK visitors travelled to the Maldives during November 2017, compared with 8,073 in November 2016.

Furthermore, UK visitors represented 7.9 per cent of all visitors to the Maldives in November 2017, with a total of 94,258 UK visitors travelling to the Maldives in the first 11 months of 2017, a 1.1 per cent year-on-year increase.

With regards to worldwide arrivals to the Maldives, the island nation witnessed a year-on-year growth of 15.2 per cent in November 2017, with 120,506 international tourists visiting the Maldives during November 2017.

The total number of arrivals to the Maldives in 2017 stood at 1,246,502 by the end of November and when compared with the same period in 2016, total tourist arrivals have increased by 6.8 per cent.

To support the increasing demand for tourism in the Maldives, the country will welcome several new tourism developments during 2018, including expansion plans at the recently rebranded Velana International Airport and the opening of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge in July.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Mohamed Anil, attorney general, Maldives, said: “This is a very exciting time for the Maldives with a number of key infrastructure developments taking place during 2018 and beyond, which will benefit both tourists and the local community.

“Our tourism industry is continuing to expand and with ten new hotel resorts opening during the next few years, we look forward to being able to accommodate even more visitors from overseas.”

Surfing Chronicles: Cokes in Maldives beach

Surfing Chronicles: Cokes in Maldives Beach

Surfing in the beach of Maldives 

‘Cokes’ is one of the best surfing camps in North Malé Atoll. This world-renowned surfing spot in the Maldives is named after a Coca-Cola factory on the nearby island of Thulusdhoo.

By speedboat, Thulusdhoo is less than an hour and a half away from the main airport island, Velaanaa International Airport. The island is inhabited, with a population slightly over 800.

Guesthouse businesses boomed on the island thanks to the endless flow of surfers drawn to it by the allure of the Cokes surfing spot. In addition to Cokes, many other surfing breaks are accessible via Thulusdhoo. Two of these popular spots are Chickens and Jailbreaks.

Cokes is a surfing favourite because the reef there is really shallow. This causes some pretty impressive swells.

Surfers should be wary of the reef, especially during low tide.

Injuries inflicted by the sharp corals there will not end up well, so the more experienced you are, the better.




In fact, Cokes is recommended for advanced surfers.

Cokes is best experienced during a straight south swell with northwest winds, especially on mid to high tide. It’s easiest to avoid the strong current in the channel during high tide. The same rings true for Chickens.

The prime period of travel to Thulusdhoo and Cokes is March until October. The swells are at their peak in July and August.

Being a surfing hotspot, you’ll easily find several fellow surfers congregating there. They stay on Thulusdhoo, and head out to a tiny island that shares the lagoon to catch the waves; the island is accessible over a makeshift plank-bridge over shallow aquamarine water.

Thanks to the location of Cokes, the swells are consistent. It’s a highly recommended addition to the bucket-list of any surfing enthusiast.


Throw in the prospect of affordable guesthouses on Thulusdhoo, with its laidback rural life, and you can live a backpackers dream!

Best places to Visit in Maldives

Top 15 Best Places to visit in Maldives 

Left to the mercy of the soft and lapping Indian Ocean, the islands of the Maldives have been sculpted and formed into unquestionably one of the most quintessentially beautiful tropical places on the globe.

Ranging from the powdered beaches of the northern atolls to the earthy sea shacks and fishing hamlets of the southern isles, the whole nation can be found strewn across the turquoise waters some way from the Indian subcontinent.

Most visitors will land in the throbbing, pulsing city of Male, packed onto its own pinprick of an isle and boasting spice-scented markets and great mosques.

Most also don’t linger long before they hit the seaplanes or boats and make for the shimmering private bays of their chosen resort, where infinity pools and over-water cabanas are the norm.


More recently, new local guesthouses and the discovery of rolling waves have begun transforming the Maldives from honeymoon hot-spot to surfing, adventure and backpacking destination – paradise is now open to all, it seems.

Lets explore the best places to visit in the Maldives:

1. Male 

Islamic Center 

Thrumming with scooters and cars and Indian bazaars stacked with coconuts and spice, the city of Male – the capital of the Maldives atolls – has the frenetic feel of a place crammed into a slot that’s too small for it.

And that’s because it is.

Although rarely visited (most travelers bypass the city on seaplanes heading straight for their resort), the town is crammed onto a pint-sized islet in the North Male Atoll.

It manages to fit some fascinating sights between its streets though, like the 17th-century Friday Mosque and the gold-tipped Islamic Centre.

Male Market is another must – just be sure get your haggling skills up to scratch.

2. Hulhumale Island

hulhumale Island 

Sat just across the sparkling waters from the capital of Male, the island of Hulhumale is forever growing and growing as more and more land is reclaimed to house the sprawling urban tendrils of the city.

It’s also the home of the Velana International Airport, which is the main gateway to these paradisiacal islands for most.

However, don’t be put off by how all that sounds – Hulhumale is actually a charming place.

It’s got a gorgeous – if artificial – beach on its eastern haunch, a clutch of leafy neighborhoods, a glass-topped mosque, and planned promenade walkways above the Indian Ocean.

3. Maafushi

Maafushi

Maafushi might not have the sprawling luxury resorts and opulent 5-star hotels that many of its nearby brothers do, but it’s got plenty of charm.

Sadly ravaged in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the place has been busy rebuilding its salt-washed fishing jetties and industrious sailor huts in the last decade.

Something that’s helped is the opening up of rights to local guesthouses, which is transforming Maafushi into one of the top off-beat island getaways for budget travelers.

Of course, you can expect gorgeous beaches backed with palms, lapping waves, and a clutch of homey little coffee shops on the shore.

4. Utheemu

Utheemu

Sat on the far northern reaches of the Haa Alif Atoll, itself the northernmost of all the Maldivian island chains, the beautiful site of Utheemu holds a special place in the history of this archipelago nation.

That’s because it was once the home of the revered Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu – the leader who’s credited with driving out Portuguese invaders from the isles in the late 16th century.

Of course, there are the usual sparkling white sands and lapping Indian Ocean waves, but these are punctuated by heritage sites like the Utheemu Ganduvaru, which is the gorgeous timber-built palace where the respected leader grew up.

5. Feydhoo

feydhoo

Feydhoo’s story is a curious one.

In the 19th century, the people now living between the leafy streets and tight-knit housing blocks here were the inhabitants of nearby Gan island (more on that one later). When the British came in the run up to WWII, Gan was transformed into an airbase, and the locals were shipped out to live on the next island along in the Seenu Atoll.

That was Feydhoo, which is today a pretty picture of lived-in Maldivian life.

Come and stroll the winding walkways and sample seafood curries with the locals – the welcome is always warm.

6. Maradhoo

maradhoo 

Joined at the hip to aforementioned Feydhoo by a seaside causeway that runs just above the coral-fringed shores of the Seenu Atoll, Maradhoo is a major link in the island chain that starts with Gan to the east.

Long and thin, it juts out into the Indian Ocean like a finger fringed with narrow beachfronts and swaying groves of coconut palms.

As in Feydhoo, the locals are laid-back and lovely, and the cuisine is spicy and rich in seafood.

Be sure to take a walk down Link Road and flit between the coffee shops and sandwich vendors that meet between the palm trees there.

7. Veligandu Island

Veligandu island 

Romantic sunsets glow red and yellow over the lapping waters of the Indian Ocean; cocktails clink in the resort’s luxurious bar; sea kayaks bob on the turquoise shoreline, and crystal-clear waves roll in softly from the inland lagoon.

Welcome to uber-beautiful Veligandu Island, which has long been championed as one of the top destinations in the Maldives for couples.

Honeymooners and newly-weds are a common site on this long, thin finger of land on the western edge of the North Ari Atoll, and there are plenty of opulent seaside villas and suites to match.

8. Banana Reef 

banana Reef

Many travelers heading to the islands of the Maldives will be coming for one thing and one thing only: diving.

And there’s hardly a single better place to don the SCUBA gear and wetsuits in the country than at the Banana Reef.

This fruit-shaped dash of multi-colored corals and seaweed-clad sandbanks lies underwater between the isles of the North Male Atoll.

It’s served by countless outfitters, who lead excursions to uncover the striped snappers and bulbous sponges, the reef sharks and the barracudas that all coalesce here.

9. Thulusdhoo Island

thulusdhoo Island 

It’s the spirit of the salt-washed Caribbean that seems to drive Thulusdhoo Island.

Largely undiscovered, this speck in the Male Atolls is ringed by wide spaces of sand from which bulbous coconut trunks sprout by the hundred.

The beaches are – naturally – great, and the locals love to draw in their fading fishing boats to flint up a good sizzling seafood barbeque now and then.

That all fits perfectly with the other pastime of travelers on Thulusdhoo: surfing.

Look for the fun left-hand rollers that turn into barrels off of Villingilimathi Huraa close by.

10. Fuvahmulah

fuvahmulah

Fuvahmulah promises something a little different to the rest of the Maldivian atolls.

For starters, this speck on the map of the Indian Ocean doesn’t really have any near neighbors, and it occupies an atoll all of its own.

It’s also peppered with the occasional inland lake, which is a rare sight to see in this flat-lying country.


Meanwhile the sandbanks that ring popular Banging Beach make for some crashing rollers and refreshing salt-spray (a break from the usual relaxing lapping lagoons), and the proximity to the Earth’s equator means steamy weather throughout the year.

11. Alimatha island 

Perched on the eastern edge of the Maldives, in the famous Felidhe Atoll, Alimatha is a great tourist island that offers luxury cabanas, untouched stretches of pristine sandy beach, and – most importantly – some of the most celebrated SCUBA diving spots around.

The resort that covers the island can often be seen packed with eager divers, who all come to seek out the pretty coral groves and sea walls that surround the shores.


These are packed with jackfish, morays and eels, and are known for their high visibility and popular night diving packages.

12. Hithadhoo

hithadhoo

Large (at least for a Maldivian island) and highly-populated (again, at least for a Maldivian island), this sub-section of Addu City in the old Seenu Atoll can be reached on the same causeways that connect Gan to Maradhoo.

On its southern edge, the place is given away to mangroves and marshes and shrub land, while the north side of the island is packed with cafes and bakeries and the occasional set of looming minarets that rise from the local mosques.

More than anything, Hithadhoo oozes a charming lived-in vibe; one that’s difficult to discover elsewhere in the resort-heavy country. 

13. Kuredu 

    Kuredu

Kuredu is the self-proclaimed jewel of the Lhaviyani Atoll, which makes its home in the central-north reaches of the Maldivian archipelago.

A boomerang-shaped isle, it’s entirely covered by a single resort, which offers rustic bamboo shacks and rows of those ubiquitous over-water bungalows with verandahs above the waves.

The whole place is completely surrounded by its own private fringing of powdery sand, and is considered one of the most advanced SCUBA and snorkeling destinations in the country – strong currents and high waves often make it difficult to see the manta rays and tropical schools.

Unusually, Kuredu also plays host to a full 9-hole golf course.

14. Gan 

Gan 

Gan is primarily known for its airport, which is the second-largest airport in the entire Maldives and a famous former airbase for the British Royal Air Force during WWII. Today, the island has shed its old military importance in favor of tourism, and it’s slowly rising to become one of the most popular spots in the Addu Atoll.

It’s not just the accessibility (thanks to the airport) that draws the crowds either, because Gan has earthy little fishing restaurants and small stretches of shimmering sand that are usually totally empty of visitors. Nice.

15. Kunfunadhoo Island 

Kunfunadhoo Island 

If you’re after the fabled luxury and romance of the Maldives, then it’s likely that the opulent resort on Kunfunadhoo Island won’t disappoint – it’s continually hailed as the most indulgent place to stay in the country.
Visitors enter through a thatched timber great hall that hides between groves of coconut palms.
From there, it’s onto the cocktail decks that soar on stilts above the jungle, or out to the beaches where candles flicker in the sultry sea breeze.
Add in a couple of infinity pools, swim-up bars, and the chance to dine on a private little sandbank with only the Indian Ocean waves as a backing track, and it’s easy to see why this one’s so popular!

World's Best Resort in Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards | Naladhu Maldives

Naladhu Private Island Maldives has been crowned the best resort in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.

Listing Naladhu in the first place in the list of the 50 best resorts in the world, Condé Nast Traveler described it as an intimate resort providing a level of privacy and personal attention impressive even in the Maldives.

“With a location only 30 minutes from Male’s international airport by the hotel’s speedboat, Naladhu represents the Maldives’ most convenient exclusive destination yet,” the world’s leading travel publication said.

Naladhu offers an intimate beach resort experience with just 19 guest villas, including six Beach Pool Houses, 12 Ocean Pool Houses and a Two-Bedroom Pool Residence. These weathered-wood accommodations come with a private garden and an infinity pool, high-ceilinged interiors decorated in cane and tropical hues, and an open-air bathroom with L’Occitane products and a sea-facing tub for two.

The Living Room restaurant’s dining spaces range from tables set around the all-glass wine cellar to cushioned Indian daybeds under the stars, and a fleet of traditional Maldivian dhonis adds onboard private dinners.

Dedicated butlers, or Very Good Chaps (VGCs), exceed expectations with quiet, smiling service.

Condé Nast Traveler on Tuesday announced the results of its 30th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, airports, and cruise lines in the world.

Over 300,000 readers submitted millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments, voting on a record-breaking 7,320 hotels and resorts, 610 cities, 225 islands, 468 cruise ships, 158 airlines, and 195 airports — thereby creating the largest-ever list of Readers’ Choice Award winners.

"Dive with a Purpose expeditions for 2k18" by Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem Maldives Cruises has announced its 2018 Dive with a Purpose series of hands-on marine expeditions for leisure divers.

The 2018 expeditions build on the success of three marine expeditions in 2017, in partnership with US based research organisation Coral Reef CPR.

“Divers with an avid marine conservation interest should not miss out on this unique opportunity to work alongside expert marine biologists in the 2018 series of Dive with a Purpose expeditions from Carpe Diem Maldives,” a statement issued by Carpe Diem Maldives read.

Taking a concerted approach towards protecting and restoring the health of coral reefs and marine life in the Maldives, three “Rescue a Reef” weeks with experts from Coral Reef CPR will look at addressing issues around reef predators, damage prevention and restoration. These expeditions are an extension of Carpe Diem’s support of the organisation’s Holistic Approach To Reef Protection (HARP) programme. A fourth week has been added to the 2018 Dive with a Purpose programme in partnership with Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP).

On each Dive with A Purpose week, up to 20 recreational divers can join the marine expeditions; divers must have an Advanced PADI qualification, excellent buoyancy control and ideally a minimum of 70 dives.

Priced from USD 1,863 per person for the week, the expeditions include:

Seven nights aboard the assigned Carpe Diem Maldives vessel
Three meals daily, plus between-dive snacks
Three to four dives daily (except for on day of arrival and day before departure)
Use of tanks, weights and belts
Drinking water, tea and coffee
Airport transfers on the days of embarkation/disembarkation
Evening workshops on marine ecology, coral reef, marine life and more
On-board marine biologists
GST 12 percent
Rescue a Reef: Crown of Thorns Starfish Removal with Coral Reef CPR

Expedition dates: May 19 – May 26 / July 15 – July 22 / Sept 8 – Sept 15

Reefs in the Maldives are currently being impacted by the third outbreak of crown of thorns starfish (COTS; Acanthaster spp.) that started in 2014 at the western end of North Male Atoll, near Reethi Rah, and has progressively spread throughout North Male Atoll, South Male Atoll and Ari Atoll, with smaller infestations reported on six other atolls. While normal densities of these starfish are generally not a concern, over 130 localised outbreaks were reported between 2014 and 2017.  Many of these have consisted of thousands of starfish and hundreds of reefs have been completely destroyed as a result of their voracious feeding.



Coral Reef CPR, in partnership with Carpe Diem Maldives, has removed over 10,600 starfish from reefs in the Maldives since 2015.

In the 2018 “Rescue a Reef” expeditions, divers on the trips can expect a hands-on role in eliminating the starfish from badly infested reefs. Divers on board these expeditions will assist the Coral Reef CPR scientists in collecting valuable data on the behaviours of the starfish and their genetic make-up. This will help understand why the outbreaks occur, where they originate from and what we can do to prevent a recurrence.

In addition to the COTS removal from reefs, the team will also visit a number of unique reef environments, including submerged farus and giris to explore the invertebrate life as and also collect valuable data on the diverse and colourful reef fish communities and larger megafauna such as sharks, manta rays and turtles.  During these dives and COTS removal dives, quantitative transects will be conducted to measure the health of the reefs and patterns of recovery following the 2016 bleaching event.



Working in buddy teams to remove the COTS from the reef, divers will be assisting Coral Reef CPR scientists in all aspects of research, including reef assessment surveys, collection of samples, and removal of crown of thorns starfish, cushion stars and coral eating snails. Across each of the one-week trips, divers will be trained in reef conservation methods and survey approaches, and learn about coral reefs and the vibrant and diverse life found on reefs through nightly workshops and discussions.

“Joining these ‘Rescue a Reef’ expeditions will provide divers with an opportunity to be part of a team who are saving thousands of hectares of reef and preventing the potential for future outbreaks,” the statement read.

The Great Megafauna Migration: Track whale sharks, mantas and turtles


There is a growing school of thought that the Maldivian ‘big three’; whale sharks, manta rays and turtles react to the changes in the monsoon seasons by moving to sites on the leeward side of the atolls. In May 2018, Carpe Novo will become a research platform for biologists from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme providing them and 20 lucky guests an unprecedented opportunity to explore this phenomenon.

“The goal of this particular Dive with a Purpose expedition is to begin the 2018 southwest season’s data collection, documenting the movements of these iconic yet enigmatic animals,” the statement read.



There are two monsoons in the Maldives, Iruvai as the Maldivians call the northeast monsoon between December and April and Hulhagu, the southwest monsoon from May to November. How quickly these megafauna species transition from sites on the west coasts to sites on the east coast and vice versa is not defined and probably depends on currents and surface weather conditions.

The MWSRP will be setting out on Carpe Novo with the aim of seeking whale sharks, as well as manta rays and sea turtles at differing points amongst the central atolls. Whale sharks, manta rays and turtles will be photo identified, with individuals compared to previous sightings in national level databases to identify movements between locations, both within and between atolls. Equipment will be deployed to gather data on current and surface weather conditions in the hope of gleaning information on how quickly the 2018 season has changed and how the megafauna has reacted to it.

Special attention will be paid to whale sharks which have moved from other atolls, where a fledgling understanding of seasonal cyclic movements can be reinforced by any sightings of 29 individual whale sharks known to be regular inter-atoll travellers.



In areas where whale sharks are prevalent, the MWSRP will explore oceanic conditions in the isolated parts of the atolls where whale sharks are not expected to be sighted through the deployment of temperature and current reading loggers and compare that to data collected in areas where whale sharks would be expected to be seen.

Guests joining this expedition will be offered the opportunity to assist the researchers in the hands on equipment deployment and every data gathering aspect of their work and will be afforded nightly workshops, lectures and discussions on marine life and the leading edge findings from Maldives-specific research on these species.


The Carpe Novo vessel.
Established in 2008, Carpe Diem showcases a collection of three luxury liveaboard cruises, each accommodating 20 guests at a time. Carpe Diem is renowned for delivering a sense of discovery and adventure while enriching guests’ knowledge. The Carpe Diem name has built significant brand recognition within the top echelons of the travel industry for diving and leisure, and is currently developing a resort in the Maldives.

Seven Stars Luxury Award Goes To Let's Go Maldives

Leading local travel agency Lets Go Maldives has won the 2017 Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Award.

Officials from Lets Go Maldives were present at the gala, which took place at the exclusive The Ecali Club on September 23, to collect the highest, most exclusive award in the industry; the Signum Virtutis seal of excellence.

Lets Go Maldives, which won the award in the Seven Stars Inbound Tour Operator category, is one of the largest travel agencies in the Maldives, with direct contracts and allotments with over 100 resort hotels and safari yachts across the Maldives. The agency also specialises in planning quality, custom-made packages at best prices, arranging luxury holidays for VIP clients, representing and handling travel agents, providing super-yacht charters, and aviation ground handling assistance.

Three resorts in the Maldives, including Hurawalhi Maldives, Ayada Maldives and JA Manafaru, also received the award.

After a cocktail reception filled with media and photographers, the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards Gala Ceremony was opened by the beautiful and talented celebrity presenter Ece Vahapoglu. Greek sensation Nina Lotsari entranced the audience with a spectacular performance accompanied by live music.

Special awards were also handed out on the night to companies which outclassed their rivals in particular sectors. Included in these special awards were Deer Jet, Mantis Collection, Hanging Gardens of Bali, Green, The Ecali Club, Italian Hospitality Collection, The Greek Villas, Despina Miraraki, Super Strom Vatsinas and Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

The Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards Gala Ceremony was a first for Greece, and witnessed the participation of CEOs, Presidents, Managing Directors, Owners and GMs, royalty, and celebrities from around the globe.

Khalil El-Mouelhy, Chairman, President and Founder, commented: “Today marked the fifth anniversary of the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards, and we feel honoured to have been able to celebrate this very special evening here in Greece and to have had the privilege to work with such an elite and distinguished organisation like The Ecali Club. I would like to express my appreciation for the winners for making this a global celebration and I would like thank The CEO of the Ecali Club, John Georgakakis, and the members of his team for their input, efficiency and unwavering dedication to excellence.”

Georgakakis, CEO of Ecali S.A., said: “The Ecali Club is famous in Greece for the high-profile events that took place in its premises in the past. Tonight we are deeply honoured to have been chosen to host the unique awards ceremony of the internationally recognised organisation ‘Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards’.  These awards represent true excellence, just like the Ecali Club, which represents the concept of eclectic living in luxurious hospitality.”

Now in its fifth year, the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards is designed to identify and to separate the exceptional from the very best by bestowing the Signum Virtutis, the seal of excellence upon the most exceptional luxury hospitality and lifestyle properties and products worldwide. The number of winners each year is capped in order to provide maximum exclusivity and benefit for the winners.

Inauguration Ceremony of "Mercure Maldives Kooddoo" Resort

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom inaugurated the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort on Monday.

At a ceremony held at the resort, the president was presented with a  plaque of appreciation by Ronald Leo, Chairman of resort owner Pristine Islands Investment Maldives Pvt Ltd, and Mohamed Ali Janah, Chairman of resort developer Hotels and Resorts Construction Pvt Ltd.



A memorandum of understanding was also signed at the ceremony between tourism ministry, Pristine Islands Investment and Hotels and Resorts Construction to create 1,000 training and employment opportunities for the youth from Gaafu Alif atoll.

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, the only resort in the Maldives with direct access to an airport, welcomed the first group of guests late last month.

The four star resort, developed on the island of Kooddoo in Gaafu Alif atoll, boasts 68 stylish and well-appointed villas, comprising 43 overwater villas and 25 beach villas with 20 of them featuring a private swimming pool. Attesting to the Mercure brand promise of an authentic experience, vivid colours and decorative motifs along with warm textures and local design touches are used tastefully throughout the villas in order to create a haven of peace with a strong local character.



Guests are offered several attractive dining options. The all-day dining Alita Restaurant serves Pan-Asian à la carte cuisine and themed buffets, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Vistas, an overwater restaurant and lounge, serves tapas, snacks and handcrafted cocktails, while the Alita Pool Bar offers cocktails and light bites with a view.

Suvadiva Divers, the resort’s five star PADI dive and water sports centre, provides aquatic excursions to the many unique and wonderful locations nearby. Several water sports options such as snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, catamarans, jet skis and fun tubes are also available.

Additionally, the resort has several recreational activities and facilities such as the 50-metre lagoon-side swimming pool, fully equipped fitness centre, tennis court, kids’ club and off-island day trips. The marine-themed Suvadiva Spa at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, meanwhile, offers a range of treatments and therapies for guests in need of relaxation and rejuvenation.



Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is the only resort in the Maldives directly accessible via domestic flight from the main Velana International Airport, with no need for an additional speedboat transfer. The domestic plane transfer to Kooddoo, which also houses a fish processing plant, takes about 55 minutes.

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is the first property run in the Maldives by French multinational hotel chain AccorHotels. The company has since taken over the management of Dhevanafushi from Dubai-based hospitality group Jumeirah, with plans to reposition the luxury resort under the iconic Raffles Hotels and Resorts brand.

AccorHotels has also signed up to manage another resort being developed in Gaafu Alif atoll.

Set to open next year, the Pullman Maldives Maamutaa resort is a traditional ‘one island, one resort’ property located a 10-minute speedboat ride away from its sister property, the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort. The five star resort will offer upscale modern facilities such as two swimming pools, a sunset bar overlooking the lagoon, a luxury spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a kids club, beach playground, tennis courts, gourmet restaurants, organic gardens, a dive centre and a water sports centre.

Velaa Private Island Wins Seven Gold Medals at Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge

Chefs from Velaa Private Island has won seven gold medals at the recently concluded Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge.

At the culinary challenge held from September 17-20 at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in capital Male, the talented culinary team at Velaa won trophies for the Best Maldivian Dish, Best Young Chef, Best Plated Hot Dish, Dress the Cake, Best Tapas and Finger Food, Best Hot Pasta, and Best Appetiser.

“…. [this win proves that] Maldives is not only a place to relax, you can enjoy the best gastronomy as well,” an announced by the resort said.

“What are you waiting for? Come and let our Executive Chef Gaushan de Silva and his winning team pamper your palates while in paradise!”

Tucked away within the collection of islands that form the northern Noonu atoll, Velaa Private Island is elegantly positioned to overlook enchanting vistas of a cerulean ocean. Its name derived from generations of sea turtles that flock there to nest and hatch; it is comprised of 47 private villas, houses and exclusive residences. The resort also includes a Romantic Pool Residence which can only be reached by boat.


The Tavaru restaurant at Velaa Private Island. PHOTO/ VELAA
At Velaa Private Island, all details have been considered: each villa comes with a personal butler, all services offered can be tailored to personal specifications. Attention to detail everywhere is also impeccable: stone pavements from the desert in Jordan, Indonesian flowerpots, luxury wood panelling from Borneo, and glimmering Italian marble.

Named one of the world’s Top Five Best Hotels and more recently the ‘Best Wedding Hotel in the Maldives’, Velaa Private Island offers endless exclusive opportunities. These unique offerings include the Maldives’ first and only snow room, the largest and most extensive wine collection in the region, one of the few Maldivian resorts with a private submarine, an extraordinary kids’ club conceptualised as the world’s ideal kids’ club by the owner’s seven-year-old daughter, and the only resort in Asia with a My Blend by Clarins spa.

Personalising and tailoring the entirety of the island depending on specific requirements, there is no limit to ensure the ultimate experience. Guests can sit back in the knowledge that the island’s highly trained and dedicated butlers will cater to each and every whim. Whether it is watching a spectacular fireworks display within the Maldivian night sky, dancing into the early hours with an Al fresco live music event, stepping aboard the island’s private yacht for a glamorous sunset cruise or enjoying a private, open air cinema night, anything is possible. Other interactive activities perfect for private groups include gourmet cooking classes with one of the resort’s chefs or wine tasting within the Maldives’ largest wine cellar.

For those looking to get involved in some Indian Ocean adventure, Velaa’s new high-tech water toys including the hover board, jetpack and fly board serve as the definitive adrenaline rush. While discovering the wonders beneath the island’s welcoming waters, guests can learn to dive or simply snorkel the coral rainbow.

The Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge has established itself as the premier culinary event in the Maldives, attracting chefs from local and international resorts whose work and creativity are evaluated by experts, including celebrated chefs from the world over.

This year’s edition saw the participation of 630 chefs in 20 categories. Their dishes were judged by world-renowned chefs from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WorldChefs).

Maldives Tourism Promotion Discussion

Travel bloggers and social media influencers from around the world gathered together with professionals from the Maldives tourism industry on Sunday to discuss ways to use new media technologies in promoting the Maldives as a tourist destination.
The first ever global travel writers’ conference in the Maldives kicked off Sunday morning at Bandos Maldives with a ceremony attended by    tourism minister Moosa Zameer and top officials from relevant government agencies.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the World Travel Writers’ Conference officially began with a keynote speech by New Zealand-born travel blogger Elizabeth Carlson on sharing experiences and the art of storytelling. In her speech, Elizabeth spoke on the importance of storytelling, and highlighted how it is related to content marketing in the present day.


It was followed by a keynote speech by Dr Sunny Umar, COO at local PR agency Maldives Getaways, on the significance of cultural tourism to the archeological history of the Maldives.

“Maldives is commonly known as a honeymoon or family destination, but the country should be promoted for its history, which is rich and full of intrigue. History is a strong selling point for travel enthusiasts, and that Maldives has a lot to offer history wise,” he said.

The two keynote speeches were followed by the first panel discussion, on the topic of turning factual stories into crafted narratives.

Moderated by Maldives Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) Secretary General Ibrahim Munaz and participated by Elizabeth, Sunny, Sardinia-based Claudia Tavani, Filipino travel blogger Ana Patricia Velarmino and Indian travel blogger Shivya Nath, the panelists agreed that travellers’ account plays a major role in creating a positive image, but that there is so much more to it than just standard of service. They noted that in order to tell a positive narrative of a destination, research on market influencers and writers has to be conducted.


Three more keynote speeches and two more panel discussions were held during the conference.

In her keynote speech, award-winning luxury travel writer Gina Samarato highlighted how multimedia plays a vital role in the travel industry, especially in bringing different experiences to life. She noted that combining her writings with images creates a much more positive effect than just text-based articles.

Meanwhile, local travel blogger Ahmed Ijaz spoke about how travel trends of Maldivians have changed throughout the years, noting that tourism has broadened both inbound and outbound tourism in the country.

The two keynote speeches were followed by the second panel, moderated by Mariyam Wisam, Registrar of Companies at the economic ministry. Gina, British travel photographer Stuart Vincent Forster, luxury travel writer Cacinda Maloney, adventure filmmaker John C Yoshihara, Russian travel blogger Yulia Safutdinova and Dr Ahmed Shan participated in the panel.

The moderator began by asking the panelists a simple question: when you wanted to come to the Maldives, how did you start your search? And what difference does it make? All the panelists admitted to have googled about the country, the location and what could be done there. For Gina, the cultural experience she has had in the Maldives was something she had not expected as it was not amongst the search results.

The last keynote speech of the conference was delivered by Janet Newenham, multi-award winning travel writer and blogger from Ireland, on what bloggers do. According to Janet, the work of bloggers and social media influencers is all about sharing their life in real-time. Sharing what they do via social media tools such as Instagram Stories, Snapchat, Facebook Live and more allows their followers around the world to know what they are doing exactly and to connect with them, she said.


Janet’s speech was followed by the last panel discussion of the conference, on the topic: are luxury travel destinations failing in their storytelling?

Mariyam Waseema, the Senior Policy Executive at the environment ministry, moderated the panel, which began with a question on how destinations could be promoted through storytelling. The panelists, who included Janet, Dutch travel blogger Tom Grond, travel photographer and videographer Allison Green, British travel blogger Jayne Gorman, PR and Communications Manager at Kandima Maldives Shafraz Hafiz and Corporate General Manager at Adaaran Resorts Suresh Dissanayake, noted the importance of incorporating more components such as travellers’ experiences into destination marketing. Destinations should be selling experiences rather than brands by including authentic stories that connect with travellers, they said.

The conference will officially conclude with a gala dinner and a networking session at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi Monday evening.

First flight of THAI AIRASIA lands in Maldives…

The first flight of Thai AirAsia landed in the Maldives on 11th of August . The new route from Bangkok to Male’ was launched on 14 June 2017 with a  special promotional fair starting from USD99.

According to AirAsia, direct flights will be held daily from Bangkok to Male’. With the first flight of Thai AirAsia to Maldives will open doors for not only travelers looking for a luxury stay but will cater to all types of travelers since Maldives offers a wide variety of accommodations starting from guest houses to luxurious resorts.

This is a huge milestone achieved to the tourism industry of Maldives and AirAsia which will change the perspective of travelers which portrays Maldives as only a luxury destination.

Thailand is a emerging market market for Maldives with an increasing number of arrivals from the market in previous years. In 2016, 16,451 arrivals were recorded from Thailand which is an increase of 3.4 percent compared to the previous year. Looking to the latest arrival figures, by June this year Maldives have welcomed 9,276 which is an increase of 18.9 percent compared to the same period last year.

TTM Hotelier Summit Maldives 2017 - Vision for the Future of Tourism

As a major component of Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) that connects the travel trade community of Maldives, the first ever Hotelier Summit of Maldives will be hosted on the 12th of July from 9am to 1pm at Dharubaaruge. The summit is aimed to act as a platform where by stakeholders of the industry would meet in one place to discuss the future of Tourism in the Maldives.

The summit offers a solution-oriented platform that facilitates face to face meetings, networking activities, and information exchange amongst the most elite assemblage of hotel owners and general managers. A total of panels are scheduled to take place at the summit in which more than 80 general managers from resorts and hotels of Maldives is set to take part. Various topics are set to be discussed that a significant to the Maldivian tourism industry.

Notable attendees include Head of Ministries, Travel Weekly, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Representatives from Expedia, Trip Advisor, IITM, Air Asia and American Express. World tourism is seeing an ever increasing growth, while the Maldives government has plans to develop over 50 resorts before the end of 2018. Major focus of the summit is to address such matters and discuss ways in which demand would meet the ever growing supply planned for the tourism industry of the country while looking at the future.

China's B2B Fair COTTM 2k17 || Maldives exposes the Sunny Side of Life

Maldives is showcased colorfully at China’s number one B2B Fair, China Outbound Travel & Tourism  Market 2017 (COTTM) in Beijing, China. Maldives will be represented at a 102sqm stand  from 29- 31 March along with 37 participants from 18 companies of Maldives Tourism Industry.

  With a newly designed stand showcasing the  unique tourism products with colorful pictures, the stand consists of 19 counters, eight private meeting tables and five floating tables.

This year, various activities are held at the Maldives stand for the visitors attending the Maldives stand to experience a bit of the Sunny side of life. These include calligraphy, where names of visitors attending the stand are written in Maldivian language (Dhivehi) unique to the Maldives. Visitors can also experience underwater beauty of Maldives through a virtual reality headset. Moreover visitors can pose for pictures near the photo booth placed at the stand, using frame board and post it on social media to win a surprise gift.

During the three-day exhibition, the Maldives delegation will meet with travel industry professionals and discuss potential future collaborations to promote Maldives in China. New tourism developments taking place in 2017 will also be shared with the media during the events. The 2016 edition of COTTM saw 400 exhibitors representing 65 countries reflecting a truly global reach.

The Chinese Outbound Market has recordedly exceeded by 100 million outbound trips a year, which puts travel expenditure in excess of $128 billion in 2016 according to China Tourism Academy.  In 2016, the Maldives welcomed 324,326 visitors from China which represented 25.2% of total visitor arrivals during the year. China has been the No.1 source market for the Maldives for the past 7 years and will continue to play an important role in the Maldives travel industry. Therefore COTTM is the perfect platform to display Maldives vacation products to a prime audience.

Acclaimed “NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR” Award goes to OZEN BY ATMOSPHERE From HIDEAWAYS Magazine!

In conjunction with ITB 2017, the highly‐respected HIDEAWAYS Publication house organized their Annual
Awards ceremony in Berlin. Attended by the elite of the travel trade industry in Germany & world‐wide,
along with high net‐worth customers, HIDEAWAYS awarded OZEN by Atmosphere with the “NEWCOMER
of the YEAR” Award for 2k17!

Within just 8 months of opening this is the second prestigious award won by OZEN, and was the ONLY
resort from the entire Asia to have won this prestigious and highly significant award.
“It is an unbelievable feeling to have won TWO consecutive awards by two highly respected luxury experts
within the German speaking markets, not even a year into operations.



My team, myself and the entire
Atmosphere Family will do all possible to continue this surge forward and we sincerely thank all our
discerning customers as well as prestigious organizations like HIDEAWAYS Magazine, for recognizing our
sincere efforts in showcasing a wonderful Luxury resort like OZEN!” ‐ Mr. Venkata Giri, General Manager,
OZEN by Atmosphere.

The operating hospitality brand, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts continues to innovate within the reso
rt
industry in the Maldives, offering unique, Luxurious, Value‐for‐Money experiences for the discerning
traveler. OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo on its own accord has redefined Luxury within the Maldives,
with its true “Luxury All‐Inclusive” offering – a FIRST within the Luxury segment in the Maldives!

Book a mammoth Maldivian suite with your own private 24-hour bar

Luxury Maldivian resort OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, has opened the doors to a 430sqm ‘Over-Water Suite’, which includes an exclusive overwater bar, serviced 24 hours a day!

Positioned at the tip of the pier - and just a stone’s throw from the resort’s underwater restaurant M6m - the OZEN Water Suite offers panoramic views of the expansive turquoise lagoon all-around and can comfortably accommodate 8 people (4 adults + 4 children, or 6 adults + 2 children + maid/nanny).

The Overwater Suite includes three bedrooms, two of which are king sized doubles and one twin bed room. Additionally, there is a fully equipped personal gym, a maid/nannies room with separate access, a kitchenette, ensuite bathrooms, spacious outdoor dining pavilion, a private 35sqm pool and even a tranquil, private sand bank!

Indulgent special touches are in abundance throughout the suite, with fibre-optic mood lighting and sections of glass flooring in the bedrooms revealing the underwater world below and infusing a natural aesthetic. A standalone private bar is also part of the Suite’s complex, which is fully staffed and stocked with an array of beverages, including top shelf wines and champagne.

Taking the level of service one step further, guests will also have their own private butler service throughout their stay here and can relax without the worry of unexpected bills thanks to the Atmosphere Indulgence Plan, which covers dining at any of the resort’s five diverse restaurants, all beverages and non-motorised water sports.

The latest and most presidential addition to OZEN by Atmosphere, which opened in July 2016, the OZEN Water Suite will accompany the existing 89 luxurious stand-alone villas; 41 beach-front ‘Earth’ villas line the coastline of the main island, whilst an additional 48 over-water ‘Wind’ villas sit directly over the lagoon, many of them with their very own Pools. Other recent notable additions include Sub-zen, the resort’s semi-submersible submarine, available for excursions and private hire.

New gateway in Maldives a gamechanger for southern atolls

Gan, in the south of the Maldives, recently opened up to international airlines, a development that could translate to an estimated three hours in time saving for travel to resorts in the south.

The introduction of this gateway eliminates the need to connect with a scheduled commercial flight from Male, 545km away, to get to the domestic airports in the south.

On December 1, SriLankan Airlines started flying from Colombo to the upgraded Gan airport, which was previously only served by domestic carriers Maldivian and Flyme.

SriLanka’s 110-minute flight departs Colombo at 06.55 four times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) using a 150-seat Airbus 320.

“Since we consider the Maldives our extended home market, we will explore every avenue to make sure that Gan receives the attention and visibility that it deserves,” said Saminda Perera, general manager – marketing, SriLankan Airlines.

Resorts in the southern atolls are expected to benefit from this, with John Allanson, general manager of Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, saying that Gan is “virtually on the doorstep” of the resort and others in Seenu, Gnaviyani, Gaafu Dhaalu and Gaafu Alifu.

Outrigger was quick to respond to the development, adding an on-demand 30-minute Trans Maldivian Airlines seaplane service from Gan, Seenu said.

Hoteliers in the southern atolls now hope that more international airlines, especially those with big feeder hubs in the Middle East, will also introduce flights to Gan.

PER AQUUM Niyama Maldives 3-night luxury romantic getaway Valentine's Day offer

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and Anantara & PER AQUUM have luxury romantic getaways on offer.

At PER AQUUM Niyama Maldives, the package, for stays of three nights or more, includes  a bottle of champagne on arrival, 90-minute spa ritual for two at LIME Spa, Dream Dhoni sunset cruise, the Destination Dining experience on a deserted sandbank, and a professional photoshoot in three locations, with makeup and wardrobe.

The price is $3407 a person a night.

Or at Anantara Kihavah Maldives, celebrate Valentine's with an exclusive Dining by Design package at SEA, the underwater world where guests can hire the entire venue to truly impress.

It includes an eight-course tasting menu, a vintage wine menu including a bottle of Cristal Rose 2006 and Chateau Petrus 1998.

The price is $19,313 a couple.