Panchshil Realty to develop high-end resort in Maldives
Indian real estate company Panchshil Realty has announced plans to develop an 82-room high-end luxury resort in the Maldives. According to media reports, the Pune-based developer of luxury hotels has reached an agreement with Marriot International to use their Bulgari brand for the new resort property.
Tourism Ministry trains Inspectors to check standards of guest houses and travel agencies in Atolls
A workshop to train guest house and travel agency inspectors was initiated by the Ministry of Tourism last Wednesday. Some 20 staff from 17 council secretariats participated. The one day event covered theoretical aspects of such inspections including registration procedures, regulations governing guest houses and travel agencies. Further to this, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority also did a presentation on taxation.
Maldives runner-up in Telegraph Travel Awards’ World’s Best Destination
The Maldives came in second place in the Telegraph Travel Awards’ World’s Best Destination category. With almost 90,000 people voting for their favourite travel companies and holiday destinations, the Telegraph Travel Awards is touted as “the most comprehensive, wide-ranging, and reliable reader travel survey in the world.” The award ceremony took place at the Banking Hall in Central London, England. Comedian and actor Sean Lock presented the awards in a variety of categories.
Flyme launches seaplane operations
Domestic airline Flyme officially launched seaplane operations on Sunday, January 15 following successful promotional flights last year. The seaplane will initially operate out of Maamigili Airport in Alif Dhaalu Atoll, according to Flyme’s parent company Villa Air. The airline plans to commence seaplane flights to resorts in the atoll pending approval from the Civil Aviation Authority, Villa Air stated in a press release on Sunday. The aircraft is capable of landing in both water platforms and airport runways.
UN General Assembly adopts resolution recognising contribution of sustainable tourism
The UN General Assembly on January 14 adopted by consensus a milestone resolution entitled “Promotion of sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, for poverty eradication and environment protection.” The resolution recognizes the contribution of sustainable tourism to poverty eradication, development, and protection of biodiversity, according to a press release from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Graffiti artist Alec Monopoly paints at W Retreat and Spa
Legendary artist Alec Monopoly was at the W Retreat and Spa Maldives this month painting the resort’s speedboat Marilyn. Inspired by the Indian Ocean’s multi-coloured marine life, clear night skies, and fluorescent plankton, Monopoly transformed Marilyn into “a vibrant neon colours boat set to ‘Let It Glow,’” W Maldives stated in a press release on January 10. “We are extremely excited to work with such a wonderful and talented artist. We wanted to have a boat that stands out from the rest and that fits with the new restyled concept ‘Let It Glow’.
Azidon – Inspiring Events
Azidon is a noun cooked up by two individuals, who in 2011 for a total duration of six months, sat in a small storage room equipped with a white board for one and a half hours every day. However, these two were no linguists and what they were planning had nothing to do with inventing words. They were actually rather experienced professionals of the Maldivian music industry and therefore naturally the origination of the word and everything else that was plotted in the room had everything to do with sound.
Government revenue from import duties, fees and charges increase in 2014
Government revenue from import duties, fees and charges increased 22% in 2014 compared to the previous year, the Maldives Customs Service has revealed. While customs collected a total of MVR1.96 billion during the year, the total C.I.F (cost, insurance and freight) value of goods imported in 2014 was MVR30.7 billion – a 15% rise or MVR4 billion higher than 2014.
Traders Hotel rebranded and reopened as the Hotel Jen Malé
Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed officially unveiled the new brand at a ceremony outside the hotel premises on Wednesday afternoon. The ceremony was also attended by a number of senior government officials, and diplomats and featured traditional boduberu music and dance items.
Hotelier Maldives releases Issue No 6
Hotelier Maldives, a bi-monthly print publication aimed at tourism and hospitality professionals has completed its first year since the magazine was launched in January 2014. Featuring a range of content including hotel and resort reviews, interviews with industry stakeholders including key professionals working in the sector, is distributed free of charge and available to purchase through subscription.
Suunto to Hold Photoshoot on the Reefs Around Ayada Maldives
Suunto, the famed Finnish manufacturer of sports watches and diving computers, is holding a photoshoot for its world-wide advertising campaign on the reefs around Ayada Maldives this week. Although the final advertising will only be seen worldwide later this year, Ayada Maldives has a wide selection of daily photos on its facebook page: www.facebook.com/ayada
Kuoni to Sell Tour Operating Business
“Kuoni firmly believes that the outbound business can be better developed under new ownership, potentially leveraging scale or specific local strengths,” the company revealed in a press release on January 14. “Kuoni will seek assurance about the continuation of the existing business locations and the continued employment of staff.” While it expects to find new owners during 2015, the company stressed that customers and their current or future bookings would not be affected by the decision.
