Floating Golf Course Maldives

The Maldives government has signed a contract with Dutch Docklands of the Netherlands to develop a floating golf course and hotel in the Maldives. 

The Maldives Minister of Trade and Economy Mohamed Rasheed  and Chief Executive Officer Wen Di Cam signed on behalf of Dutch Docklands. Cam said the Docklands is proud to develop the floating centres in the Maldives and the company would identify a good location for the development. According to Cam the company would start the project as soon as possible after doing the necessary studies.

Dutch Docklands is the global leader in floating developments, concepts and infrastructure. Dutch Docklands is an independent private company with a solid shareholding structure. The company is currently working on projects in The Netherlands, Norway, France, The United Kingdom, Hungary and the Middle East.

Maldives already has flourishing tourism industry which mainly caters for premium holiday makers. Availability of a large golf course may open Maldives to a new market.

Date: 12 March 2010

Shark trade ban

The government of the Maldives have decided to introduce a total ban on shark trade and export of shark products. The ban is expected to come into effect on 1 July 2010.

Initially the ban was meant to come into effect on 1 March this year. However, the Ministry of Fisheries postponed the ban on grounds that it may “affect livelihood of shark fishermen”. The decision to impose the ban, was made by the Maldives cabinet meeting chaired by Vice President Mohamed Waheed.

At the meeting  the cabinet also decided the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture would assist shark fishermen to find alternative livelihoods. The Maldives cabinet also decided to ratify the Agreement on the Establishment of South Asian Regional Standards Organisation (SARSO).

Cabinet members highlighted that with the ratification of the agreement, ‘consumer confidence on Maldivian local products will improve’. The Maldives can benefit from SARSO assistance in formulating national standards for products. Shark fishing has been controversial issue in the Maldives as it has an negative impact on tourism. Civil society and NGO’s have been critical of the delays in banning shark fishing export of shark products from the Maldives.

Date: 12 March 2010

Beach House Manafaru - aerial view

New-Look Ocean Villas Opening Waldorf Astoria Collection As part of preparations for the opening of the first Waldorf Astoria Collection property in Asia Pacific on 1 March 2010, Beach House Maldives has unveiled its new look Ocean Villas available for stays from early March.

The 17 Ocean Villas have been fully renovated to provide stunning over-water accommodation which retains the charm and tradition indigenous to the islands whilst offering modern, chic design features.

Stretching out onto the lagoon, the 110 square metre Villas have been enhanced to offer stylish and contemporary indoor-outdoor living. New wooden furniture on the private sundeck as well as a hammock and traditional Maldivian swing from which to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean make the outdoor living space a key feature of the Villa, with steps directly into the ocean for a secluded swim.

A new bed, inspired by local furniture styles has been especially designed for the resort with an entirely new luxury bedscape. Light colours, drapery, automatic Roman blinds, including a state of the art touch screen remote control, 42 inch LCD TV and Blu Ray Players are part of the room experience, while the partially open air bathroom with i–spa bathtub, has been enhanced with specially designed lighting and fittings.

Completely private, each stand-alone Villa provides an exclusive escape for guests and glass panelled floors allow quiet observation of the marine life throughout the day or in the evening moonlight.

The private island resort features 83 beautifully designed contemporary thatched villas including Beach Villas, Suites, Water Villas, Ocean Villas, one Grand Water Pavilion and a Grand Beach Pavilion. Each comes complete with a private pool and a butler to attend to every need.

The Villa upgrades are part of the ongoing re-branding project in line with the Waldorf Astoria Collection philosophy to bring luxurious, authentic experiences to its guests. Other highlights will include new F&B concepts across all restaurants including a new Maldivian Art Gallery and Café launched this month; an enhanced excursion and activity programme and a new Spa programme featuring Aromatherapy Associates, Ayurvedic and traditional Maldivian treatments, as well as the addition of direct seaplane transfers to the resort from Male International Airport.

Date: 13 February 2010

Diva Maldives

Diva resort in the Maldives has been voted the third most romantic hotel in Asia by TripAdvisor, reportedly the world’s largest travel website.

The luxury Maldivian resort was placed behind of Cape Sienna Hotel & Villas in Kamala, Thailand, and Samaya Bali in Seminyak, Indonesia. The 2010 Travellers Choice award recipients were decided by tabulating the opinions of millions of real travellers from all over the world.

Travellers praised the South Ari atoll resort as “breathtaking”, “a heavenly paradise”, and “beyond comprehension.” General manager of Diva John Mathis told Miadhu that the award was “good news” that will “further boost our position as a prime destination for romance and honeymoons”. Despite only being open for two years the resort has already been named the ‘Best hotel in the Indian Ocean’ in Conde Nast Traveller’s Hot List 2009 and ‘Hideaway of the Year’ 2008 in German magazine Hideaway.

Date: 30 January 2010

Huvafen Fushi Maldives

Huvafen Fushi Maldives (meaning Dream Island) is offering a special package for eternal lovers who want celebrate Valentines season.

From February 1st to 28th, the stylish island retreat will become the definitive destination for an intimate and seductive romantic getaway, made even more exciting by a Grecian mythology-inspired theme.  The unparalleled offer includes a seven-night stay at the retreat’s famed beach bungalows, a couples’ treatment at LIME the world’s first underwater spa, and a romantic sandbank lunch on a secluded island.

All this for a package price starting at US$12,108. The Valentines package comes with a special bonus treat – a complimentary 15 minutes extra on all other spa treatments in an iconic spa facility whose interiors are influenced by the colours and textures of the sea. Lasting rejuvenation through massage, body exotics, facial treatments, yoga, fitness programmes, spa cuisine and personalised programmes guarantee a complete wellness experience. The ward wining Huvafen Fushi Maldives is a top end luxury resort in the Maldives. Maldives is famous for its top end Spa resorts.

Date: 22 January 2010

Diva Maldives

The British Sun news paper has reported that Alex Salmond is planning to visit “a tropical paradise – on a global warming ‘fact finding’ mission”. 

The First Minister of the Scotland is set to visit the stunning Maldives islands as he travels to see the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, this year.  Last year Mr Salmond met the Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed at the Copenhagen climate change conference, where they discussed global warming and carbon emission.  At the Copenhagen summit Mr Salmond signed up to a declaration from the Maldives hitting out at the dangers of climate change and rising seas reported Sun.

According to Sun, on 18 January 2010 Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson confirmed Mr Salmond “hopes” to visit the Maldives around the time of his trip to Delhi.  And he insisted: “The action taken by both the Maldives and Scotland in terms of action and legislation exemplifies the types of measures necessary to meet the serious threats posed.”  There are criticisms from other parties, stating that Mr Salmond’s trip will be a waste of UK tax payers’ money.  The Maldives is popular with British tourists and receives over half million European visitors each year.

Date: 20 January 2010

Loise Cruise MV Aquamarine set for solat eclipse

The Greece based cruise line Louise Cruises, which started a service running out of India to Sri Lanka and Maldives is pulling out after suffering losses. According media reports this is due to high cost of operating out of Indian ports.

Louise Cruises had already incurred a loss of 3.5 million US dollars in 45 days of operations, the Inter Asian News Agency (IANS) said in a report.  The cruise liner had signed a deal with Kerala regional state to operate out of Cochin but were now pulling out, because of high port charges, expensive fuel, poor port infrastructure and “uncoordinated embarkation procedures”, the report said.

Excessive port charges, refuelling tax, sub-par port infrastructure and uncoordinated embarkation procedures are some of the reasons stated by the company for withdrawing from India.  “But the slow bureaucratic process and poor government policies have left us with no option but to withdraw  “India doesn’t have a cruise policy and we are taxed equivalent to a cargo ship, which is really unfair” said the report.   Gupta was quoted as saying that 24,000 US dollars were paid as port charges for each call in India compared to 3,000 US dollars in the Maldives. The cruise was stopping at Colombo to top up fuel because fuel was 33 percent more expensive in India.  The company was laying of 200 or relocating 200 crew hired for the South Asian run and its ship MV Aquamarine was returning to Europe.

The cruise Mv Aquamarine operated a successful eclipse watching cruise to the Maldives on 15 January 2010 with around 800 passengers.

Date: 20 January 2010

Beach House Manafaru Malidves

The Australian celebrity chef is to host an exclusive gourmet event at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Beach House Manafaru Maldives. Both the spa resorts which will join the Waldorf Astoria Collection on 1 March, will offer guests the chance to learn gourmet secrets from Sarah Wiener.

Austrian celebrity chef will be in the Maldives between 24th February and 12th March 2010.  Sarah Wiener is a high profile author, businesswoman and TV Chef based in Germany with shows including ‘The Culinary Adventures of Sarah Wiener’, combining her passion for travel and cooking. As well as operating four restaurants; a bistro at the Academy of Arts, restaurant at the ‘Hamburger Bahnhof’, ‘Das Kaffehaus’ at the Museum of Communication and ‘SpeiseZimmer’, Sarah also runs the ‘Sarah Wiener Foundation’ promoting healthy eating for children.

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island on 24th of February will host the first event, where guests can join Sarah for a food and wine experience in the renowned under-ground Wine Cellar, followed by a similar event in Ithaa, the world’s first all-glass under-sea restaurant on 26th February.  At Beach House Maldives, the Waldorf Astoria Collection Sarah the will run the event from 8th March to 12th March, with dinner events at Medium Rare restaurant on 8th and 11th March, a dinner in the Cellar on Wednesday 10th March and food and Austrian wine pairing at the Herb Garden, home to the Chef’s plentiful herb supplies on 12th March.

According to Breaking Travel News website “the food and wine experiences cost from US$120 per person at Beach House Maldives, The Waldorf Astoria Collection for a four-course dinner at Medium Rare (not including wines) and from US$350 per person at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island based on a Wine Cellar dinner including food and wine (rates subject to 10% service charge).”

Date: 19 January 2010

Eclips in Maldives in 2008 (captured by photographer Muha)

The longest, ring-like solar eclipse of the millennium started on 15 January 2010 Friday , with astronomers saying the Maldives was the best place to view the phenomenon that will not happen again for over 1,000 years. This is the longest solar eclipse of the millennium.

NASA the U.S. space agency said on its website the eclipse was annular, meaning the moon will block most of the sun’s middle, but not its edges, causing it to look like a ring. This blockage will last for 11 minutes, 8 seconds, an annual duration according to NASA and would not be exceeded until 23 December 3043.

According to NASA, the “ring” will be seen in a narrow stretch spanning Central Africa, the Maldives, southern India, northern Sri Lanka, parts of Myanmar and China. In Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, it will be a partial eclipse.

Astronomers said Malé, the capital island of the Indian Ocean island nation the Maldives, will be the best place on land to witness the eclipse as it will last there for over 10 minutes. There was lots of interest for this once in a life time opportunity in the Maldives. People from across the globe travelled to witness this rare event.

The eclipse will follow a 300-kilometre wide route across Africa, the Indian Ocean and eastern Asia, beginning at 10:45am Maldivian time and almost completely overlapping the sun at 12.27pm, creating a stunning ‘ring of fire’ effect that will be visible for almost 11 minutes.

Onboard Louis Cruises’ cruise liner Aquamarine 800 enthusiast chased the event from Kochin to the Maldives. The cruise liner was anchored in the Maldives for the best view on 15th January 2010.

Date: 16 January 2010

Korean Air to operate Maldives route

Korean Air on Wednesday (13 January 2010) announced it will operate a total of 24 direct charter flights between Incheon and the Maldives.

The Airline is to operate four flights a week between the two countries non-stop and is scheduled to fly this service between 25 April 2010 and 4 June 2010.

The direct flights will reduce the travel time to the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean to nine hours from current 15-plus hours. The current journey requires at least one transfer at another airport.

Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd, operating as Korean Air, is the largest airline and flag carrier of South Korea. Its global headquarters are located in Seoul. Korean Air’s international passenger division and related subsidiary cargo division are also based in Seoul. According to its corporate website the airline serves 104 cities in 38 countries, while its domestic division serves 13 destinations. It is among the top 20 airlines in the world in terms of passengers carried.

Incheon International Airport serves as Korean Air’s international hub. Korean Air also maintains a satellite headquarters campus at Incheon.     Korean Air was founded by the South Korean Government in 1969 as Korean Air Lines to replace Korean National Airlines (founded in 1948 and indicated in 1929). As of 2009 the Korean Air has 126 aircrafts in its fleet.

The Maldives tourism will directly benefit from this new addition of incoming charter flight.

Date: 15 January 2010