Wonder Maldives

Honeymoon in Maldives

noreply@blogger.com (Wonder Maldives) — Thu, 5 Apr 2007 06:01:00 -0700

If you are looking for the world's best honeymoon destination with maximum privacy and peace, you are just a few clicks away. Maldives is definitely your first choice. The Maldives lie scattered like giant green-and-gold jewels afloat in the Indian Ocean.

The Maldives is a giant necklace of 1,192 tiny coral islands with turquoise lagoons, beaches of soft white sand, and an underwater world of breathtaking beauty with untouched coral reefs and rainbow-hued fishes.
With white sands, azure skies and blue seas, tropical palms, sun and surf - the Maldives is indeed an ideal destination to lie back, sip a coconut and tan a delightful bronze.

If you want to combine your honeymoon and action then you can surf on your surfboard or dive in the waters to admire the exotic marine life. Or if you are more of the romantic kinds then you could just simply hold hands and walk on the soft white sand as the sun sets over the blue sea.

You can reach the Maldives only by air with the only international airport at Male having flights from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Dubai and Kuala Lampur (Malaysia). Though Maldives is an island, still you don't have regular ships or boats plying to and from Maldives.

You can get around seeing the Maldives through the national airlines which flies to four major islands. Alternatively, seaplanes, helicopters and local boats called the 'vedis' and 'dhonis' are available for sight seeing.

It rains throughout the year in Maldives. The best time to visit this place is from December to March when the sun comes out often.

Regarding accommodation, most of the islands are resorts and are not inhabited by local people. The quality and the prices of these accommodations vary from island to island. There are no budget hotels in Maldives.

To support the local handicraft industry you can buy the colorful T-shirts, carved coral fish and carved rosewood manta rays, they are all Maldivian. In Male, you can buy the various distinctive items that the locals use in their daily lives like the coconut shell utensils, woven palm leaf baskets and mats, carved Koran rests and woven trays for winnowing rice. You can take back home some of these items too - mats or kunaa, lacquer items and Jewelry which is mostly imported from Sri Lanka.

Scuba Diving in Maldives

noreply@blogger.com (Wonder Maldives) — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 05:08:00 -0700

The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty. The profusion of psychedelic colors and the abundance and variety of life underwater have fascinated divers and snorkelers since Maldives was discovered as a diving destination. Maldives is one of the last unspoiled places on earth, with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs teeming with marine life, a unique tropical paradise for the diver. The varied nature of dive sites in the Maldives makes it suitable for divers of all experience levels. Within each Atoll there are sheltered reefs located away from fast flowing currents that are suitable for training new divers as well as those who have recently qualified. The dive schools are well equipped, and regulators, BCDs, computers, masks, snorkels and fins are available for hire. For those learning to dive resorts offer a variety of dive courses are conducted in several languages, with courses conducted in English, German, Italian, French and Japanese in most of the For those learning to dive all resorts conduct open water and advanced courses such as night diving, rescue diving, underwater photography. Courses such as naturalist and shark specialist courses have proved most popular due to the growing interest in the marine environment. At resorts, diving is conducted daily all year around and it is only rarely that diving has to be cancelled. Most resorts would have access to a protected reef on the leeward side of the island that enables them to dive even during times of rough seas and strong winds.
The Maldives boasts an incredible number of dive sites in the world and many visit the Maldives repeatedly for the sole purpose of diving.
The Maldives was awarded the "World's Leading Dive Destination" and "Indian Ocean's Leading Destination" at the World Travel Awards 2006. The World Travel Awards has become the Oscar equivalent of the global tourism industry since its establishment in 1993.
Maldives have successfuly done a new world record for “Most people scuba diving simultaneously” on a single site on 25 February 2006 at Sunlight Thila in North Male’ Atoll located 9.6 km from Male’ International Airport, 958 divers dived to break the existing record of 722.

Maldives participates in ILTM in France.

noreply@blogger.com (Wonder Maldives) — Wed, 7 Mar 2007 04:56:00 -0800

The Maldives has participated in the International Luxury Travel Market - ILTM - held in Cannes, France from 4-7 December 2006 with the intention of portraying Maldives to the luxury buyers of the global travel industry. ILTM is one of the most important trade events of the year in terms of developing the trade segments in global source markets to the Maldives, as it concentrates only on the trade sector based on appointment systems.
This year's ILTM welcomed over 1,100 VIP buyers on scheduled appointments from 64 countries to meet the 1,240 exhibiting companies from 80 countries in attendance. 8 participants from 6 companies participated in ILTM to represent the Maldives.
The luxury travel segment is one of the fastest growing areas in the Maldivian tourism industry. Increasing numbers of world class hotel chains are now developing their exclusive brands in the unique tropical island setting of the Maldives.

Source: Maldives Tourism Promotion Board

Huvafen Fushi Maldives listed in Condé Nast Traveller 2007 Gold List for Best Service

noreply@blogger.com (Wonder Maldives) — Wed, 7 Mar 2007 04:52:00 -0800

visit maldives

Condé Nast Traveller has included Huvafen Fushi Maldives in their 2007 Gold List - a compilation of the hotels around the world that have the best service, rooms, food, ambience & design, location and leisure facilities.
Starting with the properties that received the highest ratings in the Readers’ Travel Awards 2006 survey and adding the Editors’ choices and the stand-out quality for each hotel, the result yieldedthe ultimate guide to the world’s hotels featuring those establishments which set the Condé Nast Traveller Gold List standard.
Mark Hehir, Area General Manager Maldives, commented on this wonderful news: “We are delighted to be recognized in the Gold List, especially in the category for Best Service. It reflectsthe hard work and dedication of the team at Huvafen Fushi. It is service from the heart. Every hotel operates on service standards and that is what we have implemented here. From Food andBeverage to Housekeeping, Front Office, Kitchen and all other departments, everyone plays a part to ensure the operation is run smoothly and all guests’ needs are met or exceeded inexpectation”.
Recently implemented, FISH ( Fast Island Service Host ), which consists of Food and Beverage, Front Office and Housekeeping specialists, working together as a team to provide our guestswith anything, anytime, anywhere”. “With just a touch of a button, expect to get extra towels, pillows, restaurant reservations, pick-up, CD’s & DVD’s, In-Bungalow Dining and so much more!”, says Mark. The Pavilions on the other hand come with a 24-hour Butler service.FISH is conceptualized around the idea of providing guests with a one-touch access to anything, to be delivered anywhere and at anytime. Guests communicate with only one team member and the action takes place behind the scenes to getthe food and beverage request, delivered within 30 minutes and everything else within 10minutes.
Huvafen Fushi is managed by Per Aquum Resorts ?Spas ?Residences, a division of Universal Enterprises, which is extensively involved in the tourism industry of the Maldives. Tom McLoughlin, CEO of Per Aquum, attributes Huvafen Fushi’s deserved recognition to The Per Aquum Difference. “From the beginning we decided that we didn’t want to be another big brand with ‘cookie-cutter’ resorts. We are a young company with a lot of fresh ideas, passionand enthusiasm and we wanted this zeal to come through in our properties. Our passion is within our belief that we make a difference, not only to guests and shareholders but to our teammembers as well. This Per Aquum Difference is what really sets us apart. The Per Aquum Difference is made up of four key elements ?Passion, Vision, Naturally Modern Design and Imagination. These elements ensure we offer the utmost in guest experience which in turn means that our partners and stakeholders will realise unprecedented returns from this vision.”

For more information contact:

Angeline Leo

Public Relations and Events Manager
HUVAFEN FUSHI
Tel : + 960 6644 222
Fax : + 960 6644 333
Mob : + 960 7902 244
Email : angeline@huvafenfushi.com
Web site : http://www.huvafenfushi.com

ADAARAN Resorts inaugurates its newest tourism product Hudhuran Fushi

noreply@blogger.com (Wonder Maldives) — Thu, 1 Mar 2007 07:20:00 -0800

Crest Star BVI has opened for business its newest tourism product in the Maldives. ADAARAN "Select" Hudhuran Fushi (at Kaafu Atoll Lhohifushi) is the latest addition to a chain of resorts in the Maldives that now makes up to six ADAARAN resorts that symbolize different expressions of the Maldivian tourism product.

Hudhuran Fushi at North Malé Atoll was inaugurated by Dr. Mahmoodh Shougee, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, at an event held at Hudhuran Fushi on December 15, 2006. The Chairman of Crest Star BVI, Mr. Harry Jayawardena, along with the senior management team of the group joined several dignitaries from the tourism industry for the event.

Renowned for its popularity among surfers, Hudhuran Fushi offers easy accessibility to several prominent surfing breaks in the Maldives such as Ninja, Lohi's, Pasta, Sultan, Cokes, Honkies, Chickens and Himmafushi among others. Hudhuran Fushi has been transformed into a modern contemporary deluxe Resort with a distinct Maldivian ambience. As the name "Island of White Gold" implies it reflects an oasis of white gold amidst a lush green landscape.

ADAARAN Resorts also marked another milestone by inaugurating ADAARAN Centre for Hospitality Studies at Hudhuran Fushi. As a true testament of their commitment towards the development of local talent for the future growth of the industry; the centre would be fully funded by ADAARAN Resorts. At this event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Studies & ADAARAN Resorts whereby the FHTS will conduct basic entry level courses in 4 different disciplines in hospitality studies at the Centre located at Hudhuran Fushi as per their curriculum. The project is aimed to further enhance the primary objective of ADAARAN Resorts which is to develop young Maldivian youth equipped with the necessary skills to join the hospitality industry.

Crest Star BVI unveiled their new brand identity "ADAARAN" earlier during this year while inaugurating "The Water Villas" at Raa Atoll, Meedhupparu. The new identity now represents six resorts - Rannalhi, Bathala, Meedhupparu, Ayurveda Village, The Water Villas and Hudhuran Fushi.

The brand identity ADAARAN represents the promise of high standards of service that is part of the rich tradition of Maldivian culture, and the aspirations of the group to reach new heights in the services they offer their discerning customers.

The company launched its first product in the Maldives, Bathala in 1992. Subsequently Rannalhi was inaugurated in 1996. Meedhupparu Island Resort came on board in the year 2000. In 2003, it diversified into niche market tourism by opening the only authentic Ayrveda Resort in the Maldives. The Water Villas unveiled earlier this year was hailed as the 'next level' in luxury tourism.

Source:askmaldives.com

Hilton Maldives Continues its Wining Streak

noreply@blogger.com (Wonder Maldives) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:36:00 -0800

The Maldives, 26 February 2007 – Hot on the heels of winning the "Best Hotel in the World" award by http://www.tripadvisor.com/ this January, the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa has just been voted the "Best Honeymoon Hideaway in the World" by Brides Magazine in the UK in their March 2007 issue. Similarly, the UK's most influential travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveller, has also included the six-star resort in their annual Gold List: "Best Hotels in the World – Best for location" (January 2007 issue) and in the "Best Spa in Africa, Middle East and Indian Ocean" (March 2007) summary of best spas in the world.
"Since our re-opening after refurbishment in June 2005, we have won 17 different awards – including winning 'Best Hotel in the World' twice. That's an average of one award every six weeks," says the resort's General Manager, Carsten Schieck. "These awards reflect guest confidence in our product and are an essential part in establishing the Maldives as a destination of choice."
It seems as though the whole world is talking about the Hilton Maldives. In just the last two months alone the resort has received positive press coverage in Condé Nast Traveller, Harper's Bazaar, Tatler, the Luxury Travel Magazine, The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Die Welt newspaper, Paris Match and the New York Times amongst others
Carsten Schieck explains his resort's popularity, saying, "Hilton Maldives" main concept is of three resorts within one, which gives guests the opportunity to experience three distinctly different luxury experiences without ever checking out of the hotel. Guests can enjoy beach life in a 300 square metre villa set right on the beach, with a private plunge pool in their own garden and a wonderful open-air garden-bathroom. Alternatively they can opt for a romantic, exclusive villa set on stilts over the lagoon with sun deck that has steps leading straight into the ocean. And finally, they can stay at the Spa Retreat, an over-water 'resort-within-a-resort', which includes daily spa treatments and a full programme that includes spa cuisine, massages and exercise classes."
"Innovation also plays a key role in our success," continues Schieck, "the resort is home to the only all-glass undersea restaurant in the world and is the only resort that has two entirely separate spas, each with its own philosophy and treatment menu."
The six-star Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa is a stunning, romantic resort offering sophisticated barefoot luxury on two tropical islands. Awards include "Best Hotel in the World 2005" by the Sunday Times, "Leading Resort in the Indian Ocean 2006" by the World Travel Awards and "Most Exclusive Hotel in the World 2006" by VIP Traveller Magazine. Sited in a picturesque corner of the Maldives, it offers a sybaritic combination of three distinct resort experiences, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef and lagoon. The resort is home to the world's only all-glass undersea restaurant and the Maldives only destination spa.

Source:"visitmaldives.com"

MALDIVES INTRODUCTION

noreply@blogger.com (Wonder Maldives) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:29:00 -0800

The Maldives is a nation of coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Geographically, it is located between 72o 32’ 30” E 73o 45’ 54” E and 7o 06’ 30” N to 0o 41’ 48” S, which puts her just north of the Equator and southwest of the Indian peninsular. The Maldivian archipelago consists of about 1192 small low-lying coral islands of which few of them are, just a meter above sea level. These islands stretch more than 800 km from north to south covering a total area of about 90,000 square km of which about 99% is water. 199 islands are inhabited while 87 islands are developed as resort islands. The fragile house reefs of these islands act as a barrier of protection from tides and waves. These reefs also contribute to the formation of sand and continuation of the life cycle of the marine species. It also acts as a habitat to thousands of tiny and large organisms. The former British protectorate that gained independence in 1965 is famous for its splendid white beaches, crystal clear lagoons and peaceful tranquillity of nature’s blessing. This unique creation of nature naturally forms 26 atolls, which for administrative purposes are made into 20 by the government. This small republic was a kingdom before it was declared a republic. The population is estimated 289,480 in 2005. The ethnic origin of the natives is still in debate among scholars and researchers, but it is evident that there is a close resemblance with the South Asian, Southeast Asian, Arabic and African cultures and influence. Maldivians speak in a unique language called Dhivehi and have their own transcript “Thaana” for writing. Maldivian economy was traditionally based on fisheries till the emergence of tourism as its foreign currency generator in the late 20th century. The introduction of tourism to the small island nation transformed the economy from a primary to a tertiary industry-driven economy, making tourism the most dependable industry of the country. Tourism being a service industry has direct and indirect links to all other major and minor industries of the economy. During the last two and half decades the Maldivian way of life has been changing in all aspects keeping pace with economic development. But still the lifeline depends on the sea, which supplies fish as food, sand and coral for housing and land for limited needs and the warm tropical underwater garden as a tourist attraction, which generates the much needed foreign currency. The tropical climate, white beaches and rich marine environment have made the country a tourist magnet for the past 33 years. The Maldives as the 14th century Moroccan traveller described as “one of the wonders of the world” today is said to be second to none for sun lovers, beach wanderers, scuba divers and those who seek peace in its simplest form.