Beyond The Beach by Kathy Everden

Beyond the beach

The Maldives

by Kathy Everden | April 1, 2011

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The Maldives may well have it all in terms of sun, sea and sand, but its top resorts are piling on the extras to tempt visitors who crave something beyond the blue horizon

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W Hotel on Fesdu Island Once upon a time there was Kurumba. Just a short skip from the airport, it was the best the Maldives had to offer in terms of an international resort. Twenty years later and there’s serious talk of a blonde-only fantasy resort, where the Latvian company Olialia (pronounced O la la) plans to introduce its blonde-only concept for all staff. Probably a fantasy in more ways than one – given that the majority of Maldives tourists tend to be couples, the selling power of blonde hostesses might be limited. But it does provide an example of how new resorts are striving to distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace. A glimpse at the roster of new names on the horizon gives us an indication of the ever-powerful lure of the tropical Maldives vision, with Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Viceroy, Jumeirah, Six Senses, Per Aquum and Amari in the lineup, as well as Anantara, which has just opened its Kihavah Villas resort. This new, to-die-for destination boasts 78 villas, all with infinity pools, decks, hammocks and dining areas, sunken baths and outdoor showers, plus an underwater wine cellar, the longest pool in the Maldives, sunshine butlers, tennis court, iPads, wave skiing, wake-boarding and parasail boating. At this end of the market, the competition to stand out among the palm trees is fierce, and increasingly resorts are looking beyond the beach to offer that USP (Unique Selling Indulge Maldives Proposition) that can augment the attributes of paradise – the stunning white sands, turquoise seas, lush vegetation and luxury accommodation that photograph so well but tend to blur the distinction between hotel brands – with something a little more unique. And, one other tiny niggle that might be thrown in for consideration is the weather. Shock, horror; it does rain in the Maldives. You may never have seen watery vapours in any photographs, but take it on advisement, even during the peak winter months, there’s plenty of the wet stuff. While seemingly officially banned from every photograph, this is not the soft caress of tropical showers beloved of shampoo advertisements; rain can run to a torrential downpour for several days at a time.

Joint meeting on CSR held

Joint meeting on CSR held

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| DATE: 2010-11-01 |

MALE, November 1 (HNS) – Economic Development Ministry, UNDP and Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MNCCI) held a joint meeting on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Sunday.

Telecommunication companies, tourism service providers, commercial businesses, and representatives from education sector, social sector, and relevant government authorities attended the meeting held at Holiday Inn Male to discuss a study on corporate social responsibility.

Experts from UNDP and international parties involved in the field briefed the participants on corporate social responsibility. Local companies shared their experiences with the attendees.

Speaking to journalists after the inauguration ceremony, Economic Minister Mahmood Razee commended the social services provided by local companies and announced that the ministry, UNDP and MNCCI are working on a guideline for providing the services.

“Companies and resorts provide a lot of assistance to their employees and the people of nearby islands. Such assistance includes setting up electrical generators or transport services. But these services are not provided under CSR,” he said.

The minister further hoped that social services would be provided under strict guidelines once proper taxation policies are in effect.

The government is also working on setting up “Maldives Global Compact Local Network” aimed at promoting and regulating CSR.

Once the network is formed, companies should submit an annual report of their social services, Razee added.

Government to award Kaadehdhoo airport, resort development island to IAS

Government to award Kaadehdhoo airport, resort development island to IAS

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| DATE: 2010-11-01 |

MALE, November 1 (HNS) – Government has proposed to award Gaaf Dhaal atoll Kaadehdhoo airport and an island for resort development to Island Aviation Services (IAS) to cover for the losses from transferring the company’s most profitable three departments to India’s GMR Infrastructure.

Privatisation Committee Chair Mahmood Razee said the proposal was made to assist the company in cutting down the operational cost. He noted that the company could use Kaadehdhoo airport as a hub.

“We hope that the company would be able to cut down the operational cost by managing an airport. The company will also have the chance to develop the airport as a joint venture with another company,” he said.

Razee stressed that the company has the full power to accept or reject the proposal.

“Although the company lost profit from Male International Airport, transferring a lot of employees [to GMR] will reduce the operational cost. It is also expected that the company will start making profit within three years of taking over the operations of Kaadehdhoo airport,” he said.

IAS Admin Manager Ali Nashaath said discussions are underway to handover the operations of Kaadehdhoo airport. She, however, did not disclose details.

IAS earlier said the company tried to manage cargo services department, ground services department and Maldivian ground operations. Nashaath earlier said senior company officials including Managing Director and Finance Ministry officials travelled to India to discuss the matter with GMR officials.

The government leased Male International Airport to GMR for 25 years.

According to Managing Director ‘Bandu’ Ibrahim Saleem’s annual report, the company recorded an Rf67 million profit from ground services, cargo and lounge services, compared to 2008’s Rf56 million. The Managing Director in his report said the company would lose the profit from ground services, cargo and lounge services if the airport is privatised.

IAS earlier said Rf100 million would be needed for sustainable management annually if the company loses the businesses at the airport.

GMR pays US$78 million upfront

GMR pays US$78 million upfront

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| DATE: 2010-11-01

MALE, November 1 (HNS) – India’s GMR Infrastructure had paid the US$78 million (about Rf1 billion) upfront to the government, Finance Ministry announced Monday.

State Minister for Finance Ahmed Aslam said the ministry received the bank deposit document on Sunday – the deadline for the payment.

The government earlier said the consortium formed between GMR and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) should settle the payment prior to the scheduled takeover of operations in November.

“The document was sent yesterday and the money would be received within 72 hours maximum. We are expecting to get the sum today, as yesterday was a public holiday [for other countries],” Aslam said.

The government leased the airport to GMR for 25 years on June 29. The Indian company formed a joint venture with Malaysia Airports Holdings and registered GMR Male International Airport Private Limited at Trade Ministry.

The GMR-MAHB consortium proposed to pay US$78 million (almost Rf1 billion) upfront, one percent of the total profit in the first year (until 2014) and 10 percent of the profit from 2015 to 2035. It also agreed to pay 15 percent of fuel trade revenues in the first four years and 27 percent from 2015 to 2035.

The government earlier revealed that GMR-MAHB would invest US$400 million for building, modernising, and expanding the airport.

Maldives to offer ‘red carpet’ welcome to Miss France participants

Maldives to offer ‘red carpet’ welcome to Miss France participants

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| DATE: 2010-11-01 | Haveeru News

MALE, November 1 (HNS) – Maldives is to receive participants of Miss France 2011 with red carpet welcome and cultural activities at Male International Airport.

Speaking to journalists at Dharubaaruge ‘Fansavees Maalam’ about the contestants’ visit from November 11 to 18, Director of event partner Sunland hotels, Hussein Hilmy said 33 participants of Miss France 2011 will come to the Maldives in one of the biggest tourism events in the Maldives.

“Their visit to Maldives will provide lots of benefits. We are carrying out the event in cooperation with MTPB [Maldives Tourism Promotion Board],” he said.

Hilmy noted that the contestants would travel to Coco Palm Boduhithi resort from Male International Airport in a sailing boat.

“This is the first time such an event is being organised in collaboration with a specific company. Usually such an event would require collaboration with tourism authority of another country. Maldives will benefit more than Sunland,” he said.

Hilmy said French media’s live coverage of the event would include gaining support for the Maldives nomination to the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

According to Sunland Hotels, video and photo sessions and learning to cook Maldivian dishes will take place in Coco Palm, where contestants of Miss France 2009 and 2010 will also attend.

“We are pleased that Sunland has organised this event. This is a huge benefit to the Maldives. This is a good step considering the position where Maldives stands now,” MTPB Deputy Director Mohamed Adam said.

The Miss France contest will be held on December 4 in Caen, France.

Government to draft symbolic tourist wedding regulation in a week

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| DATE: 2010-10-31 | Haveeru

MALE, October 31 (HNS) – Tourism Ministry will draft regulations for symbolic marriages in Maldivian resorts within a week.
The decision comes days after a video surfaced on social networks and popular video sharing website YouTube, which showed employees at Vilu Reef Beach and Spa resort mocking and humiliating a tourist couple renewing their marriage vows.

Permanent Secretary Ahmed Solih said discussions were held with Maldives Association for Tourism Industry (MATI), Maldives Association for Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), Liver Board Association of Maldives and Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) on Saturday.

“The regulation will be compiled within this week. The regulation will contain how the symbolic marriage will be performed,” he said.

International media raised concerns over the Vilu Reef fould ‘wedding’.

President Mohamed Nasheed Friday said the government would introduce strict guidelines on conducting wedding ceremonies for tourists in the Maldives.

While symbolic marriages are common in Maldivian resorts, Tourism Ministry earlier tried to introduce guidelines for the marriages. The ministry’s efforts, however, came to a dead end due to the lack of support from relevant authorities.

President Nasheed apologises to 'fake wedding vows' couple

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| DATE: 2010-10-31 |Haveeru

MALE, October 31 (HNS) – President Mohamed Nasheed personally apologised to the couple who were mocked and insulted during a renewal of vows ceremony at Vilu Reef Beach and Spa resort.

In a telephone call on Saturday afternoon from the president's official residence, Muleeaage, President Nasheed told the couple that "the entire country is deeply saddened and sorry for what has happened."

The president explained to the couple - who have requested anonymity - that the Maldives Police Service has arrested two members of the resort's staff who conducted the ceremony. The two are being held in police custody under a warrant.

The president said he will "personally oversee an overhaul to the way wedding vows ceremonies are conducted in the Maldives."

“The government will announce strict new regulations within the week covering all resorts and hotels in the country,” he said.

President Nasheed invited the couple back to the Maldives at their convenience as his personal guests.

The couple thanked President Nasheed for taking the time to personally intervene in this matter.

The couple further told the president that their images have been published in the media without their consent, which is causing them considerable distress and embarrassment and asked the president to appeal to the media to respect their privacy and anonymity.

President Nasheed calls on the media not to reproduce photographs or video footage of the couple without their consent and to report the incident in a sensitive manner, the President’s Office said.

According to the office, the president ended the telephone conversation by ensuring the couple that his office will keep them updated on the ongoing investigation into this matter.

Maldives Ambassador in Geneva Iruthisham Adam also telephoned the couple Friday afternoon to offer the government’s "profound and heartfelt apologies."

Foul ‘weddings’ common practice in Vilu Reef : TEAM

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| DATE: 2010-10-31 | Haveeru

MALE, October 31 (HNS) – Mocking tourist couples renewing their marriage vows is “common” at Vilu Reef Beach and Spa resort and the management is aware of the incidents, Tourism Employees Association of Maldives (TEAM) said Saturday.

The association issued a statement condemning the action of Vilu Reef resort employees humiliating and mocking a Swiss couple renewing their marriage vows at the resort.

“The association, in its capacity as the organisation working for the rights of tourism industry employees, vehemently condemn the uncivilised and disgusting action,” the statement said.

The association stressed that the management should take the blame for the incident and noted that humiliating tourists in Maldives resorts is a serious issue faced by the industry. The association identified the reason as senior management officials addressing employees using foul language.

“... Those who should take the blame for this action are not only the employees involved in the action; rather these actions are a common practice in the resort and the management is aware of these practices,” the statement read.

“When we look into the bigger picture, using foul language while communicating with tourists are common in the Maldives tourism industry. This is a bad practice inherited from the ‘high to the low’ as senior management officials and resort owners address employees in this manner.”

The association further commended the media “for forcing [relevant authorities to find] a solution” to the problem by bringing the practice to the attention of the government and the public.

“TEAM believes that finding solutions via dialogue is the way to prevent such incidents in the future,” the statement added.

‘Celebrant’ in foul ‘wedding’ imprisoned for 6 years in 2006: Court

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| DATE: 2010-10-31 | Haveeru

MALE, October 31 (HNS) – Hussein Didi, who acted as the ‘celebrant’ in the foul wedding ‘ceremony’ at Vilu Reef Beach and Island Resort, was sentenced to six years of imprisonment in 2006, Criminal Court said Sunday.

A court official said parole or clemency was not offered to Didi after he was sentenced in a drug-related case.

Police Thursday arrested Didi and 39-year-old Ali Shareef of Kanmatheege/Seenu atoll Hulhudhoo who led the ceremony where a Swiss couple was humiliated and mocked as “infidel” and “swine.” The Criminal Court extended their custody period to five days.

The two were charged for insulting Islam, disesteeming a tourist couple by using foul language and violating the religious unity by publicising the scene on internet. The custody was extended after considering the seriousness of the incident and the video presented by the police.

President Mohamed Nasheed personally apologised to the couple on Saturday and invited back to the Maldives at their convenience as his personal guests.

SriLankan Airlines adds flights to Maldives

Saturday, 30 October 2010 10:33

Maldives Tourism Update (http://www.maldivestourismupdate.com/2010/10)

SriLankan Airlines is almost doubling daily flights to the Maldive islands from December 1 2010 to cater to the peak tourism season and also connecting a fourth city in China, a statement said.

The number of flights to Male is being increased to six a day from the earlier 3-4 a day, the airline, which has long been the largest carrier into the Maldives, said.

The new flights are part of a big expansion in its network and fleet."The most significant addition will be the launch of thrice-weekly services to Guangzhou scheduled for January 28, the fourth city in China to be served by SriLankan," the airline said.

This would take the route network of Sri Lanka's national carrier to 50 destinations in 31 countries.
In Europe, SriLankan will add its 13th weekly flight to London, with effect from December 15, flying twice daily on all days except Friday.

In Southeast Asia, both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur will have an added flight for a total of 11 flights each from December 01.

The Middle East will see significant changes throughout the region including the services to Bahrain, Muscat and Doha, the statement said.

Karachi will also have an added frequency, bringing it to four a week from December 01.

In India, where SriLankan serves six cities, there will be increased flights to Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.
Mumbai will have a total of 10 flights from December 01, up from the earlier daily frequency.

Chennai will have one additional flight for a total of 15 flights, with three on Friday and two each on all other days from December 01 and Bangalore will go to a daily frequency with the addition of one more flight.
The airline has already begun expanding its fleet, with seven more aircraft by the end of 2011.

The first of these, a wide-body Airbus A330, arrived last July. Three more are planned by February 2011, including two Airbus A320s, and a De Havilland Twin Otter floatplane for the re-launch of the domestic SriLankan Air Taxi service.