A Grand Event in Collaboration with Embassy of The Republic of Maldives in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Written by

Sun Siyam Resorts, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Maldives hosted a special evening in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh on the 13th of February at Four Points by Sheraton hotel.

Ambassador of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaThe special event held to mark the opening of the Sun Siyam Group representation in Riyadh was focused on “A Glimpse into the Sunny Side of Life”. This was mainly to provide the much needed information of Maldives as a destination, which has maintained its popularity in the Middle East.

Group Director of Business DevelopmentThe evening was brought to a start with the opening speech by His Excellency Abdullah Hameed, Ambassador of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Manager for Saudi AirlinesIt was followed by a presentation by Director of Business Development of Sun Siyam Resorts, Evgenia Boyankova, who covered the topic on “Traveling to Maldives: Everyone can find something special”. True to its title, Maldives definitely caters to one’s own needs. It is a destination for families, couples, singles, honeymooners, friends, the adventurous and the relaxed spa goers alike.

EventWith the easy flight connections available from the KSA, Mr. Mamdouh AbdullRhaman AlMallouhi, Sales Manager for Riyadh from Saudi Airlines covered the convenience and ease “Connecting the Kingdom and Maldives”and shared the future plans to launch direct flights from Jeddah to Maldives.

EventDuring the event, there were raffles drawn with holidays to Maldives sponsored by Sun Siyam Resorts and tickets to Maldives sponsored by Saudi Airlines. With a great turnout from the media and trade, it was a successful event with dinner and networking.

Sun Siyam Resorts

A collection of hotel & resort brands born from the inspiration of Mr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed. Led by his passion for creating a difference in the Maldives Tourism Industry that redefine the luxury hospitality experience. Sun Siyam Resorts has an esteemed portfolio of boutique luxury resorts operating in the Maldives, including:

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives

Sun Aqua Vilu Reef Maldives

Sun Aqua Pasikudah, Sri Lanka

Malé, New Air France Destination in the Maldives

Written by

As from 1st November 2017, Air France will be offering two weekly flights to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

These flights will be operated by Boeing 777-200, equipped with the latest Air France travel cabins, with a capacity of 312 seats including 28 in Business, 24 in Premium Economy and 260 in Economy.

With this new destination, Air France is extending its services to the tourist destinations in the Indian Ocean, extremely popular with its customers.

“The arrival of Air France in Malé strengthens the company’s presence on top-of-the-range leisure destinations, a growing market where Air France, with the quality of products and services it offers its customers, is a leader. Air France is also the European leader in services to the Indian Ocean, a position further strengthened by this new destination”, declared Franck Terner, Air France CEO.

Flight Schedules (In Local Time)

AF222: leaves Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 20:50, arrives in Malé at 10:20 the following day;
AF223: leaves Malé at 13:05, arrives at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 19:35

Flights operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays on departure from Paris and on Thursdays and Sundays on departure from Malé.

Air Frances’ Best Cabins

On board the Boeing 777 to Malé, passengers enjoy the comforts of a cocoon in the sky in the Business cabin and completely redesigned seats in the Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

In the Business cabin, the seat adapts to the shape of each individual, from seating position to a real 2-metre long bed. At the heart of the curved structure, each passenger creates their own space, enveloping and protective, according to their desires. The seat’s soft foam is designed to offer impeccable quality of sleep. The soft duvet and XXL-sized feather down pillow have also been designed with the passenger’s optimum sleeping comfort in mind. Each passenger also has a 16-inch (41 cm) wide HD touch screen.

In Premium Economy, customers enjoy new, softer seat cushions and a footrest with multiple positions, further improving the comfort in this cabin. In Economy, the new seat has been entirely redesigned, with additional legroom, new seat cushions, softer headrests and a wider tray table etc. There are also new features such as electric sockets and headphone holders. As far as inflight entertainment is concerned, the HD touch screens are considerably larger: 12 inches in Premium Economy and 9 inches in Economy. With movies, games and music, there are more than 1,000 hours of programmes available on demand.

Malé, the island capital, gateway to the atoll

Both an island and a city, Malé is the country’s economic, commercial and cultural capital. Malé is the gateway to the Maldives, extremely popular with travellers who come to admire its sandy beaches, the turquoise waters of its lagoons and its coral seabed rich in tropical flora and fauna.

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort Creates Valentine Romance for Guests

Written by

KONOTTA, MALDIVES – The Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has created a special Valentine’s Day evening dinner event for Romeo and Juliets.

couple2For couples who love ultimate beach romance and the feel of sand between their toes, the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort will arrange a candlelit sunset barbecue for two on the beach.

Culinary highlights include, a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, lemon marinated grilled shrimp, tuna steak, calamari, reef fish in banana leaf, beef sirloin, lamb skewers, a cold salad buffet, and selection of mini desserts and surprise sweet treats from the pastry chef. There will be an accompaniment of rhythmic Boduberu drum music. The special dinner takes place 14 February for US$159 nett (€149/£128) per couple.

There is also one special private beach table BBQ with private chef and waiter, featuring Champagne, canapés, local lobster, beef fillet, desserts and chocolates at US$366 nett (€342/£296) per guest.

World Travel Awards reveals global hospitality champions in the Maldives

Written by

Maldives was recognised by voters from around the globe as the World’s Leading Beach Destination.

HNA Tourism Group shone the spotlight on the rapid development of Chinese hospitality, taking the title of World’s Leading Integrated Tourism Group.

In South America, Ecuador was awarded the trophy for World’s Leading Green Destination.

Frasers Hospitality was honoured with the title of World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand, while Europcar took the title World’s Leading Green Transport Solution Company.

Partners for the Grand Final 2016 included Sun Siyam Group, Trans Maldivian Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Ooredoo, and St. Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development.

TV5 Monde acted as the World Travel Awards’ Intentional Broadcast Partner.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.

Maldives won three prestigious categories for the destination:

  1. World’s Leading Beach Destination 2016
  2. World’s Leading Dive Destination 2016
  3. World’s Best Spa Destination 2016

Additional 9 awards won by the Maldives Tourism Industry:

  1. World’s Leading Airport Resort 2016 – Hulhulé Island Hotel, Maldives
  2. World’s Leading Boutique Cruise 2016 – Four Seasons Explorer, Maldives
  3. World’s Leading Boutique Villa Resort 2016 – AnantaraVeli Maldives Resort
  4. World’s Leading Dive Resort 2016 – Constance Moofushi, Maldives
  5. World’s Leading New Resort 2016 – AaaVeee Nature’s Paradise, Maldives
  6. World’s Leading Private Island Resort 2016 – COMO Cocoa Island, Maldives
  7. World’s Leading Underwater Hotel Restaurant 2016 – Sea @ Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
  8. World’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2016 – The Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
  9. World’s Most Romantic Resort 2016 – Baros Maldives

For more information about World Travel Awards, visit here, or find a complete list of Grand Final 2016 winners here.

About World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators, destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

The brand aims to celebrate those organisations who push the boundaries of industry excellence.

SriLankan becomes First International Airline to fly to Gan Island

Written by

SriLankan Airlines will consolidate its positioning as the largest airline operation in the Maldives, by commencing services to Gan Island on 1 December 2016, becoming the only airline to operate international flights to Gan International Airport, with four flights per week.

Gan Island operations will facilitate visitors’ travel to any destination in the world via SriLankan Airlines’ global route network, reaching 102 destinations in 47 countries and 1,000 destinations under the oneworld alliance.

Gan is the most populated island in Addu Atoll (also known as Seenu Atoll) and is the southernmost atoll in the Maldives. SriLankan flights will depart from Gan every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 09:05, arriving in Colombo at 11:25. Likewise, flights will depart from Colombo at 07:01 and arrive in Gan at 08:20hrs.

Crew, SriLankan Airlines. SriLankan becomes first international airline to fly to Gan Island

The commencement of services to Gan is part of the recent strategic shift by SriLankan Airlines to heighten its focus on its network in South Asia, namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and also in the Middle East, including destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. The airline will also intensify its focus on the Far East including Japan, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. Gan is one of 11 new destinations in the Asia-Middle East region to which Sri Lanka’s national carrier is commencing services in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Crew, SriLankan Airlines. SriLankan becomes first international airline to fly to Gan Island

SriLankan provides rapid connections through Colombo to its global network, including over 100 weekly flights to 11 cities in India, and a wide range of destinations in the Far East and the Middle East. Passengers can enjoy SriLankan’s modern fleet and a service which provides passengers with comfortable seats, state of the art entertainment systems, excellent in-flight cuisine, and flight attendants famed for their warmth and caring nature.

Crew, SriLankan Airlines. SriLankan becomes first international airline to fly to Gan Island

SriLankan’s office in the Maldives is located at:

SriLankan Airlines Ltd, C/o ACE Aviation Services Maldives Pvt Ltd.
H. Thuniya Building (2nd Floor), Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Henveiru, 20066 Male,
Republic of Maldives.

It can be reached on:

Telephone: +9603333668
Fax: +9603333669
Email: [email protected]

Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday (9:00hrs to 18:00hrs)
Saturday (9.00hrs to 15.00hrs)
Closed on Fridays

SriLankan is also part of oneworld’s network of more than 1,000 destinations in 160 countries.

Winners of Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Written by

The Gala Event for Maldives Travel Awards 2016 was held at Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives on the 20th of November 2016. The chief guest for the Gala Event was the Minister of Tourism Mr Moosa Zameer. The “Lifetime achievement Award” was awarded to Hon. Dr Ahmed Siyam
Mohamed for his contribution to the Tourism Industry and the country as a whole.

Winners List:

Judged Categories

Scores are calculated by presentation to judges panel, on-site inspections and popular votes
(online & SMS)

1- Leading Private Island : Velaa Private Island
2- Leading Luxury Resort : Conrad Maldives Rangali
3- Most Romantic Resort : Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
4- Leading Beach Resort : Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
5- Leading Designer Resort : Velaa Private Island
6- Leading All Inclusive Resort : Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
7- Leading Family Resort : Bandos Maldives
8- Leading Resort : Conrad Maldives Rangali
9- Leading Eco Resort : Sun Island Resort & Spa
10- Leading Dive Resort : Bandos Maldives
11- Leading Surf Resort : Anantara Dhigu
12- Leading Wellness & Spa Resort : The Sun Siyam Irufushi
13- Leading Meeting & Conference Resort : Bandos Maldives
14- Leading Local Hotel/Resort Brand : Bandos Maldives
15- Leading International Hotel/Resort Brand : Conrad Maldives Rangali
16- Leading Wellness & Spa Brand/Chain : Araamu Spa
17- Leading Human Resource Management : Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
18- Leading CSR Program : Soneva Fushi Resort
19- Leading Airport/City Hotel : Hulhule Island Hotel
20- Leading Guest House : Reveries Diving Village
21- Leading Business Hotel : Hotel Jen by Shangri-La
22- Leading Liveaboard : Voyages Gurahali
23- Leading Liveaboard Brand : Carpe Diem Maldives
24- Leading Dive School/Centre : Dive Oceanus
25- Leading Activity/Water Sports Centre : Active Water Sports Maafushi
26- Leading Innovation in Guest House Design : Reveries Diving Village
27- Leading Travel Website : ICOM Tours
28- Leading Domestic Transport Provider : ICOM Tours
29- Leading Airport Lounge : Leeli Lounge

By Popular Vote

Scores are calculated based on the votes cast only through our online website and SMS.

30- Leading Domestic Airline : Villa Air, Flyme
31- Leading Low Cost Carrier : Fly Dubai
32- Leading International Airline : Srilankan Airlines
33- Leading Guest House Island : Maafushi Council

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Think Advertising – 332 2222/7972091
20th November 2016

DREAM VOYAGER “Queen of the Ocean”

Written by

Dream Voyager is a classical two-mast and five staysail luxury yacht operating in the Maldives since year 2000. Built and designed in Turkey in the year 1999, this sailboat went through a thorough renovation in 2009.

The entire floor deck have been replaced with a brand new teak wood and furnished with well-situated deck chairs, sun loungers and an awning.

The interior of the boat is elegantly appointed with timber panels, a fully carpeted saloon flooring, three saloon tables, galley and a bar counter. There are six fully air-conditioned double cabins with comfortable double bed, en-suite with shower and a WC.

For your convenience Wifi access is also available all around the boat.

There are six fully air-conditioned double cabins with comfortable double bed, en-suite with shower and a WC.

LEO Luxury Yacht

Written by

LEO Luxury Yacht takes sophistication and luxury to the high seas of the Indian Ocean, where design and atmosphere blend flawlessly with the breathtaking beauty of the Maldives.

The magnificent 41 meter LEO Luxury Yacht caters to your every wish; if relaxation is your choice indulge at ZOSMA with rejuvenating spa treatments in absolute serenity or unwind in the Jacuzzi lounge, SKY, at our top deck basking in the glorious rays or gazing at the stars while sipping your favorite cocktail.

Prefer to add a hint of adventure to your stay?Explore the surrounding islands and underwater magnificence of the Maldives with the exciting range of activities offered onboard LEO, including diving, watersports, and excursions.

Elegance and style are evident throughout LEOLuxury Yacht with its charming décor and sensational experiences ensuring your stay is truly luxurious and cherished.

Coco Collection appoints Group General Manager and Head of Sales and Marketing

Written by

Coco Collection, the iconic Maldivian luxury hospitality brand, is pleased to announce the appointment of Antony Paton as the Group General Manager and Andrew Ashmore as the Head of Sales and Marketing.

As Group General Manager, Antony Paton will oversee the operations of all three properties in the portfolio. With 40 years of experience, knowledge and background of the travel and hospitality industry, Paton’s recent role as General Manager of Galle Face Hotel in Sri Lanka saw him lead a $30m restoration and re-launch of the hotel in 2015.

He has a deep understanding of the Maldives and the luxury market with the successful opening of Six Senses Laamu in 2011, and as the Managing Director of Operations at the Soneva resorts after that. His time with Soneva saw him lead the operations for Soneva Fushi, former Soneva Gili in the Maldives and Soneva Kiri in Thailand. With past experience of having served the royal family of Jordan, their majesties King Hussein and Queen Noor, Antony is well accustomed to anticipate the needs of individuals who lead high powered lifestyles.

With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Andrew Ashmore brings a wealth of experience in sales and marketing to his new role at Coco Collection. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing Officer of Hashoo Hotels, Pakistan’s largest hotel chain. During Ashmore’s time there, he was overseeing all the marketing operations of the hotel group and was responsible in developing their vision and strategy in an environment that was challenging for tourism and hospitality. Prior to that, a prominent period of his career was with the renowned Hyatt group. With a Hyatt career that began in 1985, Ashmore’s last role was as Vice President of Global and Operational Sales for Hyatt hotels across EAME and India saw his strategic role in handling and managing over 350 key global sales accounts across the region from 2011 to 2013.

“I am very pleased to extend a very warm welcome to both Antony Paton and Andrew Ashmore who joins the dynamic team at Coco Collection. Paton will be leading the teams to reinforce personalized service and to deliver a consistent brand experience to all guests of the properties within the collection. Together with the experienced team at the corporate office, Ashmore is devising a strategy to boost our sales and marketing efforts, and to strengthen Coco Collection’s image among the luxury market. With Paton and Ashmore at the helm of the teams, we are looking forward to a very successful year ahead!” comments Shabeer Ahmed, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Sunland Hotels and Coco Collection.

Charming Holiday Lodge

Written by

Charming Holiday Lodge is located in Addu City, Meedhoo. Transfer consists of approximately a 90 minute domestic flight from Male’ International Airport to Gan International Airport, combined with a 20 minute speed boat transfer to the beautiful island where Charming Holiday Lodge is located. Meedhoo is one of the largest islands in the Maldives and the oldest populated island in the northernmost tip of Addu City with a population of 2806 people. It is famous for the scholars and intellectual people it has produced.

Charming Holiday Lodge is located in the heart of Meedhoo, just 02 minutes ride from Meedhoo Jetty where you could find the local sceneries of Maldives. We provide bicycles for a healthy ride in the island for your convenience. The beaches are approximately 5 minutes walking distance. There are 2 desert islands just 15 minutes by walk or by a local boat where you could cherish beautiful moments in those white sandy beaches.

Charming Holiday Lodge was formed in early 2012, in order to give the most convenient and comfortable travel and tourism solution in Maldives. We have been a popular destination and have an excellent track record for guest satisfaction in Meedhoo Island of Addu City, Maldives. We have never compromised on quality and the services provided to our guests. We believe in keeping our guests happy and providing them with the best facilities and services.

Four modern deluxe rooms, including a deluxe suite, are amongst the largest and best-appointed guesthouse accommodation in Addu City at Meedhoo. All the rooms are equipped with modern amenities including broadband internet Wi-Fi access, luxurious bathroom, in-room electronic safe and entertainment facilities such as flat screen TVs with international satellite channels. The deluxe suite also includes Sofa an outdoor bathroom with Sunbed

Breakfast is served in-house while lunch and dinner is mainly served at Cecilia’s Café and Sunset View Restaurant which are a 1 minute bike ride from the hotel. We also arrange delivery services from these restaurants to the hotel upon request.