Official Press Conference & Opening Gala Ceremony of ITB 2016 takes place in Berlin, Germany

Written by

The official press conference of ITB 2016 was held this afternoon, by ITB Berlin at Funkturm Lounge in Messe Berlin, the fair venue. The Minister of Tourism Honorable Moosa Zameer was present in the official panel along with the ITB officials and organizers to riposte any queries by the press about ITB and Maldives being this year’s partner country. Seniors of MMPRC and MOT also participated in this official press conference as Maldivian government officials.

ITB Berlin 2016Maldives will officially start off the biggest event of the Visit Maldives Year 2016 on 8th March night at the Opening Gala Ceremony of the world’s largest travel trade fair, ITB Berlin 2016. With a total of more than 2,500 invitees attending this special ceremony which marks the 50th anniversary of ITB Berlin, Maldives celebrates being the partner host country of the exhibition. The Maldivian Tourism Minister, Honorable Moosa Zameer will be leading the Maldivian delegation, including ministers, senior government representatives, and industry stakeholders together with MMPRC and Ministry of Tourism.

The Gala will feature a special play by 57 talented performers, artists and musicians from Maldives that will be the main event of this special ceremony. The musical dance will focus on the traditions of Maldives, and how development aroused in the small islands of Maldives.

A musician will blow a conch shell, thus resembling the start of the performance. The play will be distributed into different traditional and folk Maldivian dances, of which each will have a narration; the general facts about Maldives and the portrayed tradition, activity or custom will be covered likewise in the narration. These dances and performance arts will focus on showing the pride that the nation withholds to have such a diverse existence.

ITB Berlin 2016The central point of this whole musical of the opening ceremony is on a ‘Dhoni’ (a Maldivian built traditional boat) and its transformation through the years of how it has evolved into the present. An image of a ‘Dhoni’ is also used in the main logo of the ITB Berlin 50th edition, to resemble Maldives being the partner host country, and to add a traditional Maldivian touch to the branding.

An exquisite dinner hosted by Maldives, after the opening ceremony will feature different varieties of Maldivian mouthwatering dishes to serve the taste buds of all the opening gala invitees. ITB has been the most prominent fair for the tourism industry for decades, and expects exceptional success this year as well.

World champion freediver Christian Redl returns to LUX* South Ari Atoll – Maldives for the 5th edition of the island’s Underwater Festival

Written by

To live a life where gravity and time are relative is every freediver’s dream. This year’s LUX* South Ari Atoll Underwater Festival gets up-close and personal with world record holder Christian Redl set to host apnea courses from the 3rd to 9th of April 2016 and reveal how this life-changing sport has irreversibly shaped his life. When the Austrian-born athlete is not engaged in action-packed underwater filming projects to raise awareness on the endangered population of sharks, he holds his breath during the low temperatures of lakes in the Austrian Alps partaking in ever-challenging extreme sports events. ‘Freediving changed completely my life’ says Christian, ‘and the Underwater Festival in the Maldives is where I am able to share what I love the most while being in my element’.

Christian Redl, Marc Hillsheim, LUX* South Ari Atoll

The resort’s diving center operated by Euro-divers enhances the weeklong event with the expertise of German photographer Marc Hillesheim. Underwater photography workshops, freediving photo sessions and guided photography dives are just few of the exciting additions to the Festival. But in today’s world no photo goes unnoticed! That’s why the Underwater Festival hosts an Instagram contest for guests wanting to share their underwater discoveries on the social network and invites in-house participants to tag their images with the hashtags #LUXUNDERWATER #LUXONEBREATH and #NOGRAVITYMALDIVES to win a great deal of prizes.

Besides being able to refer to the Marine Biology Center as source of information on the resident population of whale sharks, guests will also be involved in the exciting findings of Olive Ridley Project’s team and Senior Project Scientist Doc. Jillian Hudgins. Often appointed as marine consultant by the Maldivian Government, Doc. Hudgins co-founded O.R.P. in 2013 with the intent to promote marine ecosystem health and resiliency in the Indian Ocean and its sea turtles. ‘Sustainable tourism is a community effort that starts with small steps and goes a great length’ says General Manager Glenn Daniels, ‘this is why we endeavor to combine healthy water sports with light learning and offer a week of underwater adventures that is as exhilarating as it is enlightening’.

Christian Redl, Marc Hillsheim, LUX* South Ari Atoll

During the day, freediving classes, underwater photography courses and guided expeditions to responsible snorkeling with whale sharks and sea turtles enrich the fifth edition of the Underwater Festival. At night, our passionate experts conduct presentations and underwater-themed movies screened under the stars. Having recently unveiled the resort Signature Pool Water Villas, guests booking those adults-only overwater cocoons with infinity pools during the Festival period, are entitled to one complimentary freediving course per person.

Christian Redl, Marc Hillsheim, LUX* South Ari Atoll

For further information or queries, please contact Dolores Semeraro, Cluster Director of PR & Communications, Maldives [email protected]

Maldivian delegation leaves to attend the biggest event of Visit Maldives Year 2016, ITB Berlin

Written by

A total of 57 entertainers and recitalists, who will be attending ITB Berlin as a major spotlight of the special performances conducted in the gala opening and Maldivian stand, will leave to Berlin on the 4th March (Friday) morning. 6 media representatives from 4 different news channels will also be leaving with the entertainment team to attend the fair which will be hosted in the Messe Berlin GmbH, in Berlin, Germany from 9 – 13 March 2016.

Government officials and technical team from MMPRC and MOT who will be attending the fair has already left to Berlin on the 2nd of March 2016. The leading delegation of ministers and senior government representatives will be joining the team later for the opening ceremony of ITB on 8th March 2016. Maldivian delegation will be headed by Minister of Tourism honorable Moosa Zameer. This year the Maldivian troupe has a total of 281 representatives from 96 industry stake holding companies in addition to government officials representing the country.

In 2016, ITB Berlin celebrates their 50th anniversary and Maldives is the partner host country of the fair, which is the major highlight of the Visit Maldives Year 2016 campaign. The core event, ITB Gala Opening Night will be hosted by Maldives on the 8th March (Tuesday) night, showcasing one of the biggest entertainment performances to an audience of over 2500 viewers. Major activities carried out as the host country include, press conference, panel discussions, ITB Blogger Speed Dating, ITB travel raffle, ITB Kinderland, ITB travel raffle, The Grand Finale of ITB 2016 and festive closing ceremony. Maldivian Night, an exquisite dinner night for the Maldivian tourism industry participants and their special invitees will also be hosted on the 9th March night by MMPRC and MOT.

Maldives will be showcased in four areas this year; Main stand in Hall 5.2a, Adventure travel, responsible stand in Hall 4.1, Media stand in Hall 5.3 and in the South Entrance. In the floor space of 583 square meters which will stage the Maldivian stand, cultural performances, handicrafts display, spa experience by Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, sand art, calligraphy and tasting Maldivian delicacies will be featured. These special activities have been organized to get Maldives the maximum possible exposure and attraction by the visitors and trade parties participating in the world’s largest travel trade exhibition.

The 2016 annual 24-hour ‘10 to 10 Rannamaari wreck’ diving event returns to Angsana Ihuru

Written by

Diving, snorkeling and swimming with Nemo on a shipwreck in the Indian Ocean is what diving dreams are made of. Angsana Ihuru’s annual 24-hour diving event in and around Rannamaari, the resort’s very own shipwreck, will take place once again on 25th April 2016.

Lion Fish, Angsana Ihuru
Lionfish, Angsana Ihuru

Showcasing the beauty of the Indian Ocean on the 17th anniversary of when ‘Rannamaari’ was sunk off the house reef of Angsana Ihuru, divers and snorkelers will be given up close and personal access to the ever-changing world of the tropical ocean landscape.  Six dives will take place over a 24-hour period, from dawn to dusk; whilst underwater cameras will be strategically placed around the resort’s shipwreck streaming live footage to Angsana Ihuru’s guests and globally via www.angsana.com.  

Streaming worldwide via the live webcast, the 24-hour ‘10 to 10 Rannamaari wreck’ diving event will bring its house shipwreck to life.  Offering one of the most vibrant house reefs in the Maldives, teeming with treasures of the great underwater world, marine friends here come in all shapes and sizes. Adventure-seekers looking for chance encounters with dolphins, sharks, moray eels and sea turtles will be thrilled to know that these creatures have made the resort and its shipwreck their home.  For guests who prefer to be out of the water, sunset boat trips for dolphin watching and an early morning swim with whale sharks are a must.

Blackfoot Anemonefish, Angsana Ihuru
Blackfoot Anemonefish, Angsana Ihuru

Home to the only shipwreck found on a house reef in the Maldives, Angsana Ihuru has become world-renowned for its diving and snorkeling experiences.  Guests with young children will enjoy their own “Finding Nemo” adventure as clown fish are local residents of the reef.  Kids should also be encouraged to be on the watch as awe-inspiring creatures such as sharks, stingrays and eagle rays cavort in the reef.

For guests who wish to take formal training in snorkeling and diving, Angsana Ihuru offers professional programs for both adults and children.  Ideally located for scuba diving lessons, students do not need to venture far from the resort as the house reef is easily accessible from the beach.  In addition, a number of world-class dive sites within a radius of less than 50 minutes by boat will ensure that no diving adventure is ever the same.  The dive centre has a team of experienced, multi-lingual instructors that conduct classes across all levels, from beginners to intermediate learners.

When guests visit Angsana Ihuru, one important point to note is that the beauty of nature around does not come by accident. For many years, the resort’s staff and guests have been stewards of conservation, ensuring that the area in which they operate in is protected.  A cause that is close the resort’s heart is the preservation of the coral, sea turtles, manta rays and sharks.  When staying at Angsana Ihuru, guests can participate in pioneering coral planting programmes under the supervision of the resort’s Marine Conservation team, creating a lasting memory that serves a good cause.

Diving starts at 87 USD per single dive.  For more information about Angsana Ihuru and the “Night on us“ offer please visit www.angsana.com   

For reservations please call +960 664 3502 or email [email protected] for more information.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Unveils Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence

Written by

In a destination as luxurious as the Maldives, it is hard to top the extravagant experiences already available. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas rises to the challenge with the unveiling of its one-of-a-kind Three-Bedroom Beach Pool Residence. Secluded in a green cocoon of island lushness, the Residence was specially designed to host fantasy-filled holiday escapes in a private sanctuary for families and intimate groups. The villa offers a world apart to enjoy together, with an impressive 1,050 square metres of luxurious space, taking a cue from the famous lines of the poet Kahlil Gibran: “Let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.”

Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, Anantara Kihavah Villas
Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, Anantara Kihavah Villas

Ultimate Luxury Nestled Along White Sand Beach and Turquoise Waters

The Residence’s discerning guests arrive at the island via an unforgettable seaplane ride over blue jewel-tone waters. Greeted at the jetty, each family or group of friends is escorted along a white-sand path cutting through dense tropical jungle, passing the chef’s herb garden – ready to add its flavours to private dinners – and ushered through the Residence’s private entrance.

Inside, guests find themselves in a designer-draped haven borrowing elegant accents from Thailand, Morocco and India. Teak columns punctuate spaces of pristine white purity. Daybeds float over the infinity-edge pool and the water features of courtyard bathrooms. Swaying palms rise through the sprawling wooden deck.

By day, guests can luxuriate in Anantara Spa treatments, delivered in the privacy of the Residence’s spa sala, and a variety of imaginative indulgences. In the central villa living area, a full multimedia suite invites for a private cinema experience on the 55-inch 3D LED TV with Bose home theatre system. A humidor adds a distinctive touch to the central bar, while a painting easel awaits colourful bursts of natural inspiration.

By night, guests are welcome to immerse themselves in the pool, twinkling with fibre-optic lights to mirror the night sky of the Indian Ocean. An adjacent Jacuzzi pool and sunken dining cabana invite with more spaces to relax. Retreating to each of the three bedrooms, guests can drift to sleep in oversized king beds or enjoy a late night soak in two-person bathtubs while savouring an exquisite bottle from their bedroom’s own custom-stocked wine cabinet.

Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, Anantara Kihavah Villas
Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, Anantara Kihavah Villas

Expanding the Possibilities for Island Getaways

“The Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence caters to guests who dream big,” explained Jean-Marc Ma-Poon, the resort’s General Manager. “We’re addressing the growing demand for larger accommodation.”

The spacious Residence comfortably accommodates up to six adults and six children, or nine adults. Extending the hideaway even more, a lush orchid garden pathway leads to a connecting door and an adjoining Beach Pool Villa, which can increase the retreat to four bedrooms – along with another infinity pool and dining pavilion.

In addition to the pools, beach access points pierce the towering walls of greenery leading to the island’s immaculate white sands and the treasures of the house reef waiting to be snorkeled and explored at any time.

Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, Anantara Kihavah Villas
Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, Anantara Kihavah Villas

Jewel in the Crown

Guests wishing to enjoy the Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence in total privacy are welcome to do so, never leaving its embrace. A personal Villa Host is on hand 24 hours a day catering to all requests. Beyond its walled gardens, unsurpassed beauty and a variety of glittering experiences abound – from the over and underwater dining of Sea.Fire.Salt.Sky. to the adrenaline rush of sea bobbing and graceful encounters with manta rays on bespoke excursions.

Set on one of the most picturesque Maldivian islands, Anantara Kihavah Villas features 79 private pool sanctuaries either poised over water with sweeping ocean views or nestled along a stretch of private beach. The Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence is the jewel in its crown, for guests who demand the pinnacle of spacious luxury.

Aerial view, Anantara Kihavah Villas
Anantara Kihavah Villas

For more information and bookings, please visit http://kihavah-maldives.anantara.com

Anantara Kihavah entices with Award-Winning Gourmet Dining 6 Metres Below at the World’s Best Underwater Hotel Restaurant

Written by

With 79 grandiose one bedroom pool villas and expansive residences unravelling over two, three and four bedrooms, the best underwater restaurant on earth and a 3:1 staff-guest ratio, Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is one of the Maldives most resplendent resorts. For the ultimate adventures above and below the water, guests staying here go from their luxurious Overwater Pool Villa with glass-bottomed bathtubs to an underwater restaurant, aptly named SEA, for award-winning gourmet dining and degustation dinners.

Anantara Kihavah Villas Wins World Travel Award 2015 for Best Underwater Hotel Restaurant WorldwideThe mirrored interior reflects the surrounding Indian Ocean marine life as you dine on European cuisine and indulge in paired wine suggestions from the resident Wine Guru. Voted by World Travel Awards 2015 as the World’s Best Underwater Hotel Restaurant, SEA doubles as a restaurant and the world’s only underwater wine cellar, with coveted 360 labels in its collection.

Anantara Kihavah Villas_ Sea restaurant table for two“This incredible restaurant offers the unreal experience of dining under water—no diving gear necessary,” explains General Manager Jean-Marc Ma-Poon. “We’re very honoured and proud to have been acknowledged by World Travel Awards as the World’s Best Underwater Hotel Restaurant. Our underwater dining adventure is right in the heart of Baa Atoll and the only one in the world on the edge of a natural reef. With more than 100 species of marine life swimming around, no matter what the time of day it is, guests can be sure of great views, with delicious cuisine and an enviable wine selection as well!”

an underwater restaurant, aptly named SEASEA serves lunch and dinner, as well as breakfast on request, while taking in the 360-degree view of the Indian Ocean’s mesmerizing marine life around you. Four-course degustation menus are served under the winning combination of Senior Wine Guru Nilesh Bootun’s expertise of varietals and vines, and the culinary ‘Haute & Nouvelle Cuisine’ experience of the resort’s new Executive Chef, Lamberto Valdez.

Imbibing with the Finest

Where else can you tour the vineyards of the world six metres underwater? For the second consecutive year, Anantara Kihavah Villa’s acclaimed underwater restaurant SEA received the prestigious three star accolade from World of Fine Wines Magazine. In the publication’s World’s Best Wine Lists, over 4,000 restaurants from around the globe were considered for the awards, with just 896 restaurants bestowed a one, two, or three-star accolade, and only 300 wine lists making it into the top three-star category.

an underwater restaurant, aptly named SEAThe wine awards have quickly become some of the most prestigious awards within the restaurant community. According to World Sommelier Champion Gerard Basset, the awards are the pinnacle for a restaurant wine list: “These exciting new global awards are rapidly becoming as coveted as Michelin Stars.” The esteemed panel of senior judges this year included some of the world’s greatest experts, including Alder Yarrow, Elin McCoy, Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Andrew Jefford, Andreas Larsson, Francis Percival, Tom Stevenson and The World of Fine Wine Editor Neil Beckett.

The World of Fine Wines publication comments, “Few restaurants in the world can claim to offer its guests a view as distractingly gorgeous as that offered by Sea Underwater Wine Cellar and Restaurant. In such a setting, the food and wine needs to be special if it’s to be anything more than a supporting player. But a glance at the fine international cuisine and extensive collection of bottles suggests a remarkable gastronomic as well as visual spectacle—a spectacle where Michel Picard Puligny-Montrachet 2010 is matched with Atlantic salmon mi-cuit, crisp potatoes galette, snow peas tendrils, and an orange and miso reduction.”

Anantara Kihavah’s Senior Wine Guru, Nilesh Bootun, takes great pride and pleasure sharing his passion for wines says, “Our Wine List enables oenophiles to embark in a journey with amazing adventures from Old World to New World by discovering some prestigious selection among 360 labels, handpicked from 20 renowned wine producing countries including the new horizons such as India, China, Thailand and Turkey. Personal taste always varies from each individual but the preference of enjoying young wines (ready to drink) to vintage treasures (at their peak) would be definitely possible with the 90 year of wine history (from 1924 to 2014) having a selection from each decade.”

Dreaming Over the Ocean

Also voted by World Travel Awards 2015 as the Leaving Villa Resort in the Maldives, poised over a lagoon with sweeping ocean views are 40 Overwater Pool Villas, arranged in a grand circular formation and interlinked by an overwater bicycle pathway. A tall arched doorway reveals vaulted ceilings and dark hardwood floors, leading to the main bedroom where each villas opens up onto a wraparound deck, and it’s there that Anantara Kihavah Villas epitomises Maldivian luxury. Furnished with a queen-size daybed that swings from the ceiling, hammocks that hang over the lagoon and a ladder that drops you straight into the water, this is where your dreams take a holiday.

The piece de resistance, however, is found in the bathroom. Fronted by floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with step-through access to an oversized plunge pool, it features a glass shower with intricately engraved doors and sweeping Indian Ocean views, an outdoor rainforest shower, his and hers vanities, a cream chaise lounge and a glass-bottomed bathtub that peers down into the sparkling turquoise waters; a quick glance down and you can see tropical fish, a turtle, or even a spotted eagle-rays sweep along the bottom of your tub.

Anantara Kihavah Villas offers exceptional food and wine pairing while staying in the award-winning stylish resort haven of private pool villas, just 35 minutes by seaplane with Maldivian Airways from Male. For more information on Anantara Kihavah Villas and special offers visit http://kihavah-maldives.anantara.com/special-packages.aspx

Park Hyatt Hadahaa’s Blue Journeys Dive and Activity Centre awarded PADI Green Star™

Written by

Blue Journeys Dive and Activity Centre at Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives was recently awarded the PADI Green Star™ award for its outstanding performance in initiating green business practices and supporting responsible conservation. By earning this award, Blue Journeys has established itself as a business that is both commercially and environmentally viable.

Aerial View, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

The PADI Green Star™ award recognizes dive centers and resorts that are dedicated to ensuring the sustainability and conservation of the diving industry. It identifies businesses that actively protect and care for the environment via initiatives such as energy-friendly transportation practices, use of sustainable materials, conservation leadership, water conservation and responsible energy use.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Blue Journeys has been a PADI Five Star certified dive center since August 2009, providing a full range of scuba diving education programs, equipment and experiences. PADI Five Star dive centers promote and encourage responsibility for marine environments. The center excels in offering quality services to divers by presenting a professional image and actively promoting the benefits of recreational scuba diving, snorkeling, dive travel and environmental protection.

Experience the Once-in-a-Lifetime spectacle of Coral Spawning this Easter in the Maldives

Written by

Every year following the full moon, millions of coral across the Maldives simultaneously spawn and release their eggs creating an awe-inspiring, natural phenomenon and sight to behold. This year the mass coral spawning event is expected to occur during the week after the full moon on March 23rd 2016.

Guests who visit the Maldives during Easter will be able to participate in and observe this spectacle during a special coral spawning night safari arranged by Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. Those who prefer to stay on dry land can watch it directly on the beach via a webcam placed on the house reef.

To celebrate the annual event this year, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and nearby sister resorts, Angsana Ihuru and Angsana Velavaru, will arrange full moon dinner and drinks on their beaches for guests to appreciate this natural and rare wonder.   

Blackfoot Anemone Fish, Angsana Ihuru
Blackfoot Anemone Fish, Angsana Ihuru

Unknown to science until 1982, coral spawning is an incredible sight which can be detected from space, and one that is worthy of any discerning travellers’ ‘to do’ list. The exact timing of the event is still a mystery and witnessing the event requires patience and a spot of luck. Corals release their precious cargo into the water at night during the days following the March full moon but only if ocean temperatures, the tide and wind conditions are favourable.

Dr. Steven Newman, Director of Marine Conservation for Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, explains: “To have the opportunity to dive or snorkel when the coral spawning is taking place is an extraordinary experience. It only happens once a year and the fact that is difficult to predetermine exactly its timing, makes it even more incredible, it’s a spectacle worthy of anyone’s bucket list”. Dr. Newman continues: “Reproduction is governed by the tide, and usually we can see the spawning take place an hour or so after sunset, however in some cases we may have to wait until midnight, so patience is a virtue but it’s well worth the wait!”

“The natural environment and conservation of our fragile marine ecosystem are priority for us here in the Maldives, especially during this El Nino year. At our Marine Laboratory, we arrange daily activities where our guests have the opportunity to learn about the marine environment and how we can all work together to create a healthy marine ecosystem for everyone to enjoy. Our activities in connection to the coral spawning are a part of our ongoing CSR programmes at Banyan Tree and one of the highlights of the year”, Dr. Newman concludes.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

Other marine environmental activities that guests can participate in at the three hotels in the Maldives include cleaning and planting of corals to support a healthy marine habitat, as well as conservation efforts to protect indigenous turtles.   

The coral spawning diving at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru costs from USD$60 per person.

SPECIAL OFFER
Extend your stay and enjoy the ‘Night on Us’ offer at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. Terms & conditions apply.

For more information and reservations, please visit: www.banyantree.com

Maldives wins “Most Exclusive Leisure Product” at OTM 2016

Written by

Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation together with the tourism industry won the “Most Exclusive Leisure Product” award at India’s largest travel trade show which was held in Mumbai from the 18th to 20th February 2016. Maldives was one of the two destinations who won this title at the conclusion ceremony of OneWorld Travel Mart 2016. This exhibition, which is the best platform to focus on outbound tourism in India was spread over 25,000 sqm in housing the fairground.

Maldives was featured in a stand space of 60 sqm designed and tailored to portray the uniqueness of the destination using eye-catching photos of the beautiful destination. There was an estimated average of 3,000 unique individuals who visited the Maldives stand. Maldives showcased the exclusive destination by participating in the stand with a total of 26 industry professionals from 15 companies. In addition, the Visit Maldives Year 2016 campaign was promoted in surplus advertising options such as, billboards, pillar wraps, lanyard design and show carry bags.

India currently holds the 5th biggest market share of the arrivals. Taking this place in November 2015, India has a recorded figure of 52,368 tourists who visited in the year 2015. This figure is a 14.9% growth compared to the arrival number recorded in the year 2014. The Indian market accounted to 4.2% of the market in 2015, and is a very important market to focus on as it promises a lot of potential.

Maldives celebrates the Chinese New Year 2016 in Maafushi

Written by

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation together with Ministry of Tourism endures the Visit Maldives Year 2016 campaign proudly by celebrating the Chinese New Year on today, 8th February 2016 in Maafushi. Chinese New Year is an important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. It is also known as the Spring Festival, the literal translation of the modern Chinese name.

Since Chinese market is now the largest market to the Maldives in terms of arrivals, it is very important to keep up this continuous growth. Consequently organizing a targeted event to the Chinese market would greatly help to attract a large number of guests from the Chinese market for such events and festivals in the future.

The event is organized jointly with the Guesthouse Association of Maldives (GAM) and MMPRC to bring out the festival organized, Chief Guest of the function is Chinese Ambassador to Maldives Mr. Wang Fukang along with the officials attending the ceremony from MMPRC and Ministry of Tourism, as well as a number of major industry stakeholders.

Making the most of this event, the gala dinner at night is open for all tourists in Maafushi with Chinese cuisines, Chinese performances and Maldivian cultural performance such as Boduberu and cultural dances. Tickets for the Gala Dinner can be purchased from MMPRC, Maafushi, Hotel Jen, and Maldivian Holidays. As part of the event, a raffle draw will take place with exciting prices.

The Visit Maldives Year 2016 will be a yearlong campaign to boost the number of visitors and tourism receipts of the country. Chinese market holds almost 30% of the market share to Maldives helping to achieve the target arrivals for 2016.