Maldives once again the best-selling destination for Kuoni

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Worldwide holiday sales are off to a flying start this 2017, with Maldives topping Kuoni’s best-selling destination list once again. Maldives is at the top of the list for the twelfth consecutive year; based on the total number of bookings, according to The Kuoni Worldwide Trends Report 2017.

Mauritius was seen climbing up the list moving from fourth place in 2016 to No. 2 position this year, followed by Sri Lanka holding on as No. 3. According to the worldwide holiday company, the island resorts of the Maldives topped the list of best-selling destinations for premium travel, while there has been a noticeable upturn in demand for trips to Mauritius, Costa Rica, Malaysia & Borneo, Canada, South Africa and Greece.

Maldives also climbed to No. 2 spot in the Top Wedding Destinations list, from its previous ranking of fifth place, while also maintaining the spotlight as the Top Honeymoon Destination. Kandolhu Maldives was named amongst the Top 5 WOW Honeymoon Hotels, while the Maldives islands maintained first in the Top All-inclusive Destinations list and the Top Family Destinations list.

The report also went on to highlight all-inclusive options available in Kuramathi Maldives and PER AQUUM Niyama, while Kuramathi Maldives was once again listed first on the Top 5 Long-haul Family Hotels.

Stormtroopers caused quite a splash in December 2016, wading through the shallow turquoise waters in Laamu Atoll in the saga’s latest epic Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. According to the report, “The iconic images flashed around the world capturing people’s imagination and proving that the Indian Ocean islands are no longer just the preserve of honeymooners.

“The appeal of the diverse islands is growing for couples of all ages and families at all ends of the budget scale – and setjetting, the practice of visiting film locations for holidays, may will be the next interesting trend.”

The rise of experiential travel is evident throughout Kuoni’s business, with the Maldives highligted as the place for a sunrise yoga on a sandbank.

Derek Jones – Managing Director of Kuoni said:  “January and February is always the peak period for holiday sales, so at this point in the year we’re able to see some clear patterns emerging for the year ahead. It is clear value-for-money is one of the key drivers for 2017 regardless of how big or small people’s travel budget is.

“We’re seeing creativity like never before in the tourism industry – everything from star-gazing platforms to dining for two on a private sandbank – travel has never been more exciting.”

This year sees the launch of two new Kuoni resorts while it sees experiential tourism as one area seeing growth. Milaidhoo Island Maldives – a Kuoni hotel in Maldives, is an intimate and stylish five-star resort, while Dhigali Maldives opens in May 2017 with a minimalist, authentic feel. Activities on offer include Maldivian cookery classes, tuna fishing excursions with local fishermen, and dhoni boat-building workshops.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]