The First Tourists in Maldives

The Maldives – now a renowned tourist destination world-wide, entered the tourism industry with very humble beginnings in the 1970s when a small group of Italian travellers came to the Maldives.

The first tourist to the Maldives – Mr Corbin, made his first trip to the Maldives in October 1971 with a photographer friend Frenchesco Benini and a Maldivian Mr Kerefa Ahmed Naseem, in the ‘Maldives Exporter’, a cargo ship.

After an adventurous trip in the virtually unexplored paradise Mr Corbin wrote profusely about this journey to the Maldives, describing his first impression of the Maldives as “breathtaking”. Upon returning home, Mr Cobin wrote many articles enhanced by Mr Benini’s pictures and they eventually published a book called Duemila isole felici which was published in 1973.

Tourists start arriving at Herathere resort

(Haveeru News Service – www.haveeru.com.mv) – The first batch of tourists have arrived in Addu atoll’s Herathere island resort which has had an informal opening.

Maldives Tourism Development Cooperation’s Chairman Hussain Afeef said that 16 tourists had arrived on Saturday and had expressed satisfaction with the resort.

The first international flight is scheduled to arrive at Gan airport next Sunday and many more tourists are expected to arrive thereafter, Afeef told a press conference.

The Condor flight is scheduled to arrive directly from European with 80 Italian tourists.

Maldives Tourism Promotion Board’s Marketing Executive Mohamed Maleeh said that a special ceremony will be held to mark their arrival.

This resort was originally scheduled to be opened in early November but the opening had to be delayed because some construction works were yet to be finished.

The 600-bed resort will first operate with 273 beds until all works are completed by January 15.

Maldives moves to protect whale sharks

The Maldives has taken the first steps towards establishing a protected area for whale sharks. The government-backed initiative is being supported by biologists, diving professionals and representatives of the local community.

For years, the Maldives has been renowned for its whale shark encounters, which, while not as seasonal as those of the Seychelles, occur throughout the atolls during most of the year. Several locations – notably the exposed outer reef of South Ari Atoll – have emerged as whale-shark hotspots and attract boatloads of snorkelers on a daily basis.

Spearheading the move to organize and regulate these encounters is a group of local biologists who have formed the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP). Since 2006, this group has been investigating the populations and behavior of whale sharks in the Maldives through photo-identification, prey surveys and by taking part in an international genetic analysis and tagging project.

So far, a database of 100 individual sharks has been compiled and is being used to track the movements of these sharks around the atolls. The group is also investigating stories of other whale shark hotspots across the archipelago: it is thought that the sharks journey around the Maldives in order to find seasonal eddies that concentrate their favorite food – zooplankton – into relatively small areas. The long-term plan is to establish protected areas in which snorkeling and boat activity will be controlled, and the sharks will have a refuge from open-ocean fisheries.

A meeting was held at the end of 2008 to consider ways of protecting the sharks and ensuring that all boats conform to a code of conduct.

Stay Free Nights at Cocoa Island

Cocoa Island (Maldives) is the Indian Ocean outpost from COMO Hotels and Resorts, the company behind Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos.

To hole up here is to discover escapism, or sweet serenity under a reliable sun. It is a special place, at one remove from the noise of modern living, where we nurture every need, attend to every detail, and soothe away the stresses which belong to another life.

The Offer

From 1st May to 15th October 2009, stay

• 7 nights for the price of 5
• 14 nights for the price of 10
• 4 nights for the price of 3

Complimentary upgrades

If you book bed and breakfast, Cocoa Island offers a complimentary upgrade to half board. Half board bookings will be upgraded to full board and spa treatments upgraded from 60 minutes to 90 minutes with our compliments

Note: Both offers can be used in combination and complimentary meal upgrades apply to free nights also. Valid for new bookings from 1st May to 15th October 2009, subject to availability. A minimum stay of four nights applies for complimentary meal upgrades.

Stay Free Night at Angsana Ihuru Maldives

The Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives Ihuru is celebrating the summer season with a “Summer 3-2-1” promotion which allows guests to stay three nights on full-board and get the third night free. Rates start from US$800++ per night in a Deluxe Beachfront Villa (double occupancy).

The promotion is valid until 31 October 2009. For stays in July, full-board meals will also be included during the complimentary one-night stay, but not in the subsequent months.

Located on the North Malé Atoll just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé, the capital of the Maldives, and the Malé International Airport, Ihuru is one of the most picturesque islands in the Indian Ocean.

The Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives Ihuru features 25 Beachfront Villas and 20 Deluxe Beachfront Villas each complete with a private garden, a veranda with a Maldivian swing, and an outdoor shower. In addition, each Deluxe Beachfront Villa comes equipped with a private jet pool.

As one of the best dive sites in Maldives, the resort naturally provides a wide variety of sea sports facilities, including a diving school which was awarded the PADI ‘Gold Palm Resort’ certification. Snorkelling is just a step away, as the coral reefs are located a few metres from the beach.

Guests at the Angsana Spa can indulge in soothing treatments that focus on the healing sense of touch and the use of natural ingredients to pamper the body, mind and spirit. Duet, a specially created couple spa package and other tailored male and female spa packages are treats that complement a sunny vacation. The spa treatments are carried out at eight luxurious spa pavilions, two of which are equipped with outdoor jet pools and steam baths.

To tempt the discerning diner, the resort boasts an excellent restaurant, Riveli, offering a marriage of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of local flavour. Guests can also opt for a private in-villa barbecue or a romantic dinner for two on a remote sandbank. To end the evening, guests can relax at the Velaavani Bar as they enjoy the cool sea breeze and maybe spot a turtle swimming by in the lagoon.

The Maldives will see the opening of the first international-class hotel for its capital city, Malé. The 117-room Holiday Inn Malé will open on 1 September 2009. At 15 storeys, Holiday Inn Malé is the city’s newest and tallest hotel in the Maldives and in a 750-kilometre radius, commanding an unrivalled view of the harbour and beyond.

Just a short, five-minute speedboat ride from theinternational airport, the hotel will offer world-class meetings and conference facilities, food and beverage outlets, extensive recreation and leading-edge communication facilities. Located on the corner of Ameer Ahmed Magu, Holiday Inn Malé lies near the harbourfront, shops and markets and within a short walking distance to the various historical places of interest like the Old Friday Mosque, Sultan Park and The Presidential Palace. The hotel provides the perfect gateway to holidaymakers heading out to outlying resort islands.

Sporting the new livery, quality facilities and service of the global Holiday Inn brand family, Holiday Inn Malé boasts of 117 stylish rooms which include 17 Superior Rooms, 77 Deluxe Rooms, 13 Deluxe Ocean view Rooms, 9 Premiere Rooms and a Presidential Suite. All rooms feature either a king bed or two twin beds and offer amenities such as broadband Internet, LCD TVs, minibar, complimentary tea/coffee making facilities and in-room safes. As for dining and entertainment, there is a Lobby Café, an all day dining restaurant, a rooftop restaurant offering European/Japanese fusion cuisine and a 24 hour in-room dining.

The hotel also has a rooftop swimming pool, a well equipped fitness centre and the first branded Spa in Malé, Coconut Spa. Other full range of activities include scuba diving and snorkeling, big game fishing, island excursions and picnics, Malé city tour, photo flights, resort day visits, submarine trips and others.

For corporate meetings, there are four versatile meeting rooms including the Grand Ballroom offering 255 square metres of space, all equipped with the latest technology. They provide the ideal space for a range of function requirements: from seminars, board meetings and exhibitions, to wedding banquets and private celebrations catering for up to 180 persons, banquet style, or 240 for a reception.

“Holiday Inn Malé will offer leisure and corporate guests alike a perfect place to relax in comfort or conduct business with ease,” said Jolyon Bulley, vice president operations, South East and South West Asia, IHG Asia Australasia. “As the first IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) hotel in the Maldives, this represents an important milestone for IHG. It presents not only a strategic opportunity for the group to contribute to the thriving tourism industry in Maldives, but also play a significant role within the Malé community.”

Maldives to waive import duty on environment-friendly vehicles

The Cabinet has decided to waive import duties on electric and renewable energy powered vehicles to boost the government’s initiative to promote the import and use of environmentally friendly products.

Deliberating on a paper presented by the Ministry of Economic Development on waiving import duties on environmentally friendly products imported to the Maldives, the Cabinet also decided to waive import duties on solar panels and solar panel batteries used in marine vessels.

The Cabinet noted that most of the vehicles and marine vessels used in the Maldives rely on fossil fuel – petrol and diesel – and therefore, it was important to give a duty incentive to encourage the import of eco-friendly vehicles and renewable energy products used in vessels.

The Cabinet decided that import duties on these vehicles and products would be waived in accordance with on documentation issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declaring their eco-friendliness.

In addition, the Cabinet deliberated on the matter of introducing a feed in tariff system to encourage adoption of renewable energy in order to attain carbon neutrality goal, secure energy security and reduce dependency on imported oil.

After discussing the matter, the Cabinet, to encourage private investments in renewable energy, decided that the regional utilities companies would purchase electricity produced by renewable energy companies to the grid at the rate Rf3.50 per unit of electricity.

The Cabinet decided to subsidize 50 laari from each unit of electricity, produced using renewable energy, purchased by utilities companies.

Further, the Cabinet decided to waive import duties on raw materials and equipment imported for agriculture, fishing and poultry industries to increase local productivity and develop industries with potential of import substitution.

Cabinet also recommended seeking a 15000 sq ft land in Hulhumale to establish a detoxification centre, a halfway house and other drug rehabilitation infrastructure to be built with international donor assistance.

Peter Evans in Maldives, cooking at Six Senses Laamu

Peter Evans, Channel Seven’s “My Restaurant Rules’ adored co-presenter, renowned chef and restaurateur is cooking at the new Maldivian Six Senses Laamu from 13-15 July this year.

If you surf, another attraction! Laamu has its own revered break just off the beach. Plus exotic bars, dining under the stars and a superb spa.

Escape winter – head to this stunning resort while Pete is in residence as guest chef.

His program:

- 13 July – A five course degustation dinner featuring several of his signature dishes at LEAF organic restaurant for up to 30 guests
- 14 July – A four course seafood dinner the following evening, at Deck a dance with its sunken tables, inspired by the catch of the day – for up to 20 guests.
- 15 July – Conducting an intimate cooking class for up to a dozen guests. Cooking Class (1 starter/1 main course/1 dessert) in LEAF kitchen at 11am followed by lunch.

From Pete – “I’m really excited and honoured to be invited to the Six Senses Laamu, can’t wait to get my hands on some of the local produce and especially the seafood, might event catch a wave if I’m lucky, see you there! ”

In keeping with Six Senses’ SLOW LIFE philosophy the popular Australian will be using as much local produce as possible, including herbs and vegetables from the island’s own organic garden, as well as the freshest local fish straight from the Indian Ocean.

Six Senses Laamu is a short plane ride south west of Male, the Maldivian capital.

Maldives records 56.7% growth in Chinese market

The Maldives received more than 65,000 Chinese tourists in the first five months of this year, a 56.7 percent increase over the same period of 2010, according to the latest figures.

Figures from the Maldivian tourism authorities show that the number of Chinese tourists to the Maldives accounted for 16.6 percent of the total foreign tourists from January to May, ranking top of foreign visitors, followed by Italy with 47,900 tourists, Britain, Germany and France.

The Maldives, a popular tourist destination for Western tourists, has witnessed a rapidly growing number of Chinese tourists in recent years.

China became the Maldives’ largest tourist market in 2010, generating 120,000 tourists.

In an interview with Xinhua in early May, Mariyam Zulfa, Maldives’ minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said the number of Chinese tourists to the Maldives are expected to rise to a new high in 2011.

The Maldives’ tourism authorities said China’s fast growing economy has made more and more people afford to enjoy overseas holidays.

Other major factors in attracting Chinese tourists include unique sand beaches, visa-free access and a variety of water sports.

The country’s tourism department plans to launch non-stop flights between the Maldives and China’s inland cities.

Over 700,000 tourists visit Maldives first half of the year

More than 700,000 tourists visited the Maldives in the first seven months of this year, Tourism Ministry has revealed.

The number of tourists, who visited the Maldives from January to July 2011, increased by 18.3 percent to 520,483 compared to the 439,864 tourists in the same period of last year.

According to the Tourism Ministry, tourist arrivals to the Maldives in July increased by 26.7 percent to 72,516 compared to the same period of last year.

Statists revealed by the ministry show that China dominated the tourism market in the first seven months of the year with 103,734 tourists, which accounts for 19.9 percent of the total arrivals.

UK is the second-most contributor to the Maldives tourism industry with 60,021 tourists (11.7 percent) and Italy follows on the third with 53,493 tourists (10.3 percent).

Tourist arrivals from China increased by 65.6 percent from January-July 2011 while the number of tourists who visited the Maldives from UK and Italy decreased by 6.1 percent and 3.8 percent respectively.

Maldivian resorts operated 24,156 beds in the past seven months while the tourists spent 7.2 days on average. The average occupancy rate of the resorts stayed at 80.1 percent.

Source: Haveeru News Service

Business

Banks

The Bank of Maldives is the national bank and has several branches in Male’. The Bank also has branches in some of the other major population centers such as Seenu Atoll Hithadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll Kulhudhufushi and Lhaviyani Atoll Naifaru. There is also a branch of the bank at Malé International Airport.

ATMs

Most of the banks represented in Malé provide automatic teller machine (ATM) services. There are several Bank of Maldives ATMs and ATMs of other banks conveniently located at several key points in Malé, which offer regular ATM services as well as credit card services for some major credit cards.

Currency/Money Changers

The local currency is the Rufiyaa. A Rufiyaa is 100 Laari. The Rufiyaa is in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Rufiyaa notes, 1 and 2 Rufiya coins and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Laari coins. The exchange rate as of December 2004 is MRf. 12.75 against the United States Dollar. All resorts, hotels and most major shops and restaurants are authorized money changers and can accept payment in most major currencies and by credit card.

The Bank of Maldives Airport Branch located at the arrivals terminal also offers money changing services. If you are in need of Rufiyaa while in Malé, banks would be the most convenient

Maldives Map

Travel

Travel to Maldives

Although geographically isolated the Maldives is easily accessible by air from anywhere in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe. Colombo is an hour’s journey away by air, from Singapore and Dubai it takes about four hours and from Europe it takes nine to eleven hours to reach Malé international airport.

What to pack

The Maldives is warm throughout the year. Light, cotton and linen wear is ideal. Pack lots of tee shirts, beachwear, and wraparound skirts, cotton shirts and shorts. For visits to inhabited islands, where most of the streets are of compact sand, or Maléwhere the streets are paved, sandals are easy to walk on. Some essential items include swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat or a cap. If your travel plan includes traveling to many islands, a mosquito repellent may become handy.

Customs

Tourists are issued a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. A valid travel document is necessary. Visa extensions are granted by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Malé. The import of firearms, drugs, pornography and idols of worship are prohibited. Dogs, pigs, and pork products are also prohibited for import by tourists. Alcohol imported under a special license is available in all the resorts. Similarly pork products are available at most of the resorts as well. Prohibited products such as alcohol brought in by passengers are bonded and released at departure.

Health Requirements

An international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever and cholera is required by visitors arriving from infected countries.

MTPB at the Airport

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board has a counter at the airport arrival terminal to provide information and assistance to tourists arriving in the country and provide a variety of brochures in different languages for guests.

Resort Transfer

If you have a booking with a resort, transfer is usually arranged prior to your arrival. The options of speedboat or seaplane transfer where available is for you to choose from. For transfer to resorts close to the airport, motorboat or dhoni transfer is quite convenient. Even if you make a resort booking while in Malé, transfer arrangements are often made by the resort.

The Maldives has one of the largest seaplane fleets in the world, not surprising for a country with 99% ocean and more than a thousand islands. The low altitude seaplane journey offers you the additional opportunity to experience a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the country.

Departure Tax

The airport departure tax which is US$ 12.00 is usually included when you purchase your airline ticket.

Duty Free Shopping

Duty Free Shopping is only available at the departure terminal at Malé International Airport. The lounge has specialized shops with a wide variety of international brands selling well known products at competitive prices. The duty free lounge has shops for toys, souvenirs, perfume, electronics, watches, fashion accessories, jewelry, liquor and tobacco and confectionery.

The Maldives Islands

Sunny, unique and unspoiled, the Maldives is an archipelago comprising 1,190 low-lying coral islands scattered across the equator, in groups of 26 naturally occurring atolls which are divided into 20 for administrative purposes.

Maldives islands are characterized by a unique coral nature and thus they posses unique tourism resources though in a one-sided way, namely in the submarine and littoral environment of the islands, lagoons and reefs, associated with the year-round tropical climate.

These small, picturesque islands with dense tropical vegetation including shrubs, flowering plants and tall coconut palms surrounded by blindingly white beaches, crystalline lagoons that exhibit all shades of blue is the combination that has acclaimed Maldives as paradise on Earth.

The Maldives Honeymoon

If a honeymoon is meant to be a celebration of love in an intimate,secluded, and most importantly, beautiful setting, then the Maldives is the world’s best backdrop for all these things. There are endless ways to let the magic of the islands dazzle you on your holiday as a couple. A dinner under the stars with the occasional flicker of candle light to bring you back into the real world, a daring getaway to a nearby uninhabited island all by yourselves for the whole day, or just lazing around in your private bungalow watching the endless turquoise waters while you are treated to an spa treatment in the room.
You could choose to get to know each other through a swim around a house reef with a mask and fin, or dive among the beautiful, vibrant reefs. It is an experience you will relive for days after you get back home. Indulge in some lighthearted competition on a night fishing trip by seeing who catches more. You will not forget the amazing boat trip you make at sunset before anchoring at a suitable fishing spot. It is as if nature plays with the colours of the setting sun just to ensure that you remember this day, this moment, and this love for the rest of
your life.

Your honeymoon need not be a once in a lifetime experience either. You will relive the honeymoon over and over again, every time you come back to
these magical islands.