MALDIVES NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 LATEST NEWS

The Maldives Announces Major New Economic Transformation Projects During Press Briefing At World Travel Market 2017
The Maldives will welcome several new tourism developments during 2018, including expansion plans at the recently rebranded Velana International Airport and the opening of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge in July 2018. There are also expansion plans of the health services in the Maldives, providing world-class medical care to both the community and the tourism industry for 2018. Furthermore, the Maldives Government is also looking to build a Youth City on Hulhumalé, an island adjacent to the capital city, with the aim of providing accommodation and employment for future generations.

Speaking at the WTM Press Briefing, His Excellency Mohamed Anil, Attorney General, said, “This is a very exciting time for the Maldives with a number of key infrastructure developments taking place during 2018 and beyond, which will benefit both tourists and the local community. Our tourism industry is continuing to expand and with 10 new hotel resorts opening during the next few years, we look forward to being able to accommodate even more visitors from overseas.”
For more information, visit www.visitmaldives.com.

New Winter Flight Routes Launch From Europe To The Maldives
The Maldives will welcome new flight routes this winter from Europe, including an increased service from Alitalia and Air France, as well as a resumed winter service from Lufthansa. On 31 October 2017, Alitalia launched a new three-weekly direct route from Rome to Velana International Airport in the Maldivian capital of Malé, the first of its kind from Italy. National flag carrier Air France is also offering twice-weekly flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport until 28 April 2018 and Lufthansa has resumed its winter service to Malé from the German city of Frankfurt.
For more information, visit www.visitmaldives.com.

WTM NEWS

Resounding Success For Carpe Diem Maldives At WTM 2017
Carpe Diem Maldives Pvt. Ltd. attended World Travel Market London 2017 as an exhibitor for the first time this year, with a booth on the Visit Maldives stand. The event proved to be an ideal opportunity to present the group's three luxury dive cruises as well as to announce their resort expansion. Carpe Diem Maldives has established a highly regarded reputation over nine years within the global diving tourism sector and over the three days at WTM, as a direct result of meetings, a series of December training events were arranged by Carpe Diem Maldives with UK-based travel agencies.
For more information, visit www.carpediemmaldives.com.

OBLU At Helengeli Strikes Gold At Virgin Holidays 2017 Awards, Held In Conjunction With World Travel Market 2017
OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli won the highly-acclaimed Gold Award for the 'Best Hotel – Indian Ocean 2017' at the Virgin Holidays Annual Awards Ceremony, held in London on 5 November 2017 and in conjunction with World Travel Market 2017. The award was based on post-stay customer feedback amongst all Virgin Holidays featured properties within the Indian Ocean.
For more information, visit www.oblu-helengeli.com

PARTNER NEWS

Crown & Champa Resorts To Open Kudadoo Private Island by Hurawalhi In Early 2018
Crown & Champa Resorts is set to open Kudadoo Private Island by Hurawalhi in early 2018. Designed by the world-renowned Yuji Yamasaki, the adults-only island will house just 15 super luxurious and expansive overwater villas with one or two bedrooms each. Just a 40-minute seaplane transfer from Malé, the resort will provide guests with a spa and world-class amenities. Guests are invited to visit and use all amenities at the nearby Hurawalhi Island Resort, a five minutes' boat transfer away, including Hurawalhi's undersea restaurant, '5.8' – the World's largest all-glass undersea restaurant.
For more information, visit www.kudadoo.com.

Jumeirah Vittaveli Introduces First Ice Rink In The Maldives
Jumeirah Vittaveli will bring a new first to the Maldives this festive season with the opening of the destination's first ice rink. The sustainable ice rink allows guests to be carried away into a small winter wonderland of their own, whilst surrounded by the warmth of the tropics. Launching at the beginning of December, the ice rink has been built in partnership with Glice, a company that manufactures artificial ice plates, offering ice skating indoors and outdoors and in any climate conditions.
For more information, visit www.jumeirah.com.

Ring In The Festive Celebrations At Luxury Maldivian Eco-Resort, Gili Lankanfushi
Gili Lankanfushi is gearing up to celebrate the 2017 festive season in signature barefoot style. This year Gili Lankanfushi will be embracing Christmas with a Maldivian twist through unique cultural experiences, traditional local cuisine and a whole host of festive family experiences. The resort is encouraging guests to immerse themselves in nature, with activities ranging from snorkeling with Hawksbill turtles at nearby Makunudo Reef to sipping champagne in the lagoon on a sunset dolphin cruise. The resort will also host a series of family events, including competitive sand sculpting, three-legged races and surf lessons. Those looking to ease into the New Year can enjoy an innovative wellness programme and the resort is also planning a gourmet extravaganza, embracing the bounty of the surrounding waters alongside locally-sourced ingredients and herbs grown in the island's extensive organic garden.
For more information, visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com.

Dusit Thani Maldives Makes Key Step Towards Sustainable Farming
The recent addition of a state-of-the-art composting machine on the island means that Dusit Thani Maldives is both contributing further to the environmental protection of Mudhdhoo Island, as well as advancing towards sustainable farming. Built by Compostech and certified by the Green Building Index, the new composting machine is the first of its kind for a resort in the Maldives as it is constructed purely of stainless steel. The machine is loaded every morning with food waste and is left to run for 24 hours to break down the contents into compost, resulting in an 85% reduction of waste. The direct compost produced is extremely clean and pure and is currently mixed with the island's existing sandy soil to create fertiliser which helps nourish some of the island's vegetation, as well as the variety of herbs in the chef's garden.
For more information, visit www.dusit.com/dusitthani/maldives/.

Enjoy A Castaway Christmas With Mirihi Island Maldives' New Festive Packages
Mirihi Island, Maldives, is delighted to unveil a series of packages designed to bring festive cheer this holiday season. Activities on offer at the island over the festive period include a Christmas Day Maldivian-Style, which will encourage guests of Mirihi Island to enjoy an exciting and eclectic array of on-land and water-based activities, including 'silent night' snorkeling and a cinema under the stars. Guests will also have the chance to celebrate New Year's Eve with a Gala Dinner and a barefoot beach party.
For more information, visit www.mirihi.com.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Introduces New 'Instagram Trail' Offering
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has introduced a new #InstaTrail around the resort, with knowledgeable team members helping guests to discover the most picturesque locations. Guests can embark on a tour with a dedicated 'Instagram Butler' who will showcase their favourite locations and activities, such as hidden spots set on the farthest tip on Rangali Island, and swinging on an Undholi (a traditional Maldivian swing).
For more information, visit www.conradmaldives.com.

Carpe Diem Maldives Announce Dive with a Purpose 2018 Marine Expeditions
Building on the success of three marine expeditions in 2017, Carpe Diem Maldives Cruises is excited to announce its 2018 Dive with a Purpose series of hands-on marine expeditions for leisure divers. Taking a concerted approach towards protecting and restoring the health of coral reefs and marine life in the Maldives, three week-long marine expeditions with experts from Coral Reef CPR will look at addressing issues around reef predators, damage prevention and restoration. These expeditions are an extension of Carpe Diem's support of the organisation's HARP programme (Holistic Approach To Reef Protection).
For more information, visit www.carpediemmaldives.com.

Kandima Maldives Hosts Love Island Stars Montana Brown And Georgia Harrison During Its First-Ever Insta Weekend
Kandima Maldives played host to well-known bloggers and influencers from 12 – 16 October 2017 as part of its first ever Insta Weekend. Montana Brown and Georgia Harrison from the latest series of ITV's Love Island joined the likes of British blogger CC Clarke and Australian actress and TV presenter Brooke Chamberlain for a programme of back-to-back 'insta-worthy' activities. Following a seaplane transfer to the resort, each guest was provided with a map of the most 'Instagramable' spots around the island and officially welcomed with sunset cocktails in Kandima's exclusive Honeymoon Aqua Villa.
For more information, visit www.kandima.com.

Summer Island Maldives Wins Prestigious Award for Leading Beach Resort in South Asia
Summer Island Maldives has won the prestigious award for 'Leading Beach Resort / Hotel' in South Asia, at the annual South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), held at Equator Village, Addu Atoll. The four-star resort, located in North Malé Atoll, fought off competition from rivals in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India to win the award, which was presented to Summer Island's Resort Manager Mari Shareef. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mariya Shareef said she was delighted to receive the award, which was recognition of Summer Island Maldives' “barefoot, friendly, and affordable” service.
For more information, visit www.summerislandmaldives.com.

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives, Partners With Buddha Bar
Shangri-La's Villingili has collaborated with world-renowned Buddha Bar Beach to offer guests a unique culinary experience. The Buddha-Bar Beach pop up at Dr Ali's Restaurant from 20 December 2017 to 20 January 2018 will allow guests to taste pan-Asian and Japanese specialities from the tantalising Buddha-Bar menu, as well as experience the bar's mixology corner headed by Buddha-Bar worldwide Executive Bar Chef, Matthias Giroud. Buddha Bar Beach is known for its pulsating energy and unforgettable atmosphere and the al fresco lifestyle concept, Buddha-Bar Beach, will also take residency at the Endheri Pool Bar, offering guests signature sounds and fabulous food against the backdrop of Villingili's pristine white beaches. Guests will be able to experience the subtle blend of house and lounge music at both venues from world famous DJ Mario.
For more information, visit www.shangri-la.com/male/villingiliresort

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon To Offer Treatments At Niyama Private Island
For the New Year, Niyama Private Islands will bring a new definition to the “New Year New You” philosophy by inviting a top Beverly Hills plastic surgeon to the resort for non-surgical treatments over the festive period.  Dr. David Alessi will be on-hand from 22 December 2017 – 2 January 2018 to plump and primp in a pop-up of the coveted Alessi Institute for Facial Plastic Surgery founded in Beverly Hills. Dr. Alessi strives to make each one of his clients feel and look their best with non-surgical cosmetic procedures that include Botox and a range of dermal fillers to fortify the skin against aging. Under Dr. Alessi's artistic hands, guests can have their wrinkles and folds removed or the planes of their face contoured and shaped all without the invasiveness of surgery. 
For more information, visit www.niyama.com.

New Four-Night Sailings With Floating Resort By Scubaspa, Maldives
Floating Resort by Scubaspa has launched a new four-night stay designed as the ideal twin-centre accompaniment to a resort stay in the Maldives or an add-on to a holiday in destinations such as Sri Lanka or the Middle East. Travellers are encouraged to step on-board one of two near 50m-yachts for a luxurious sailing around the Maldives finest destinations, exploring a new location above and below the waves each day. Each yacht hosts just 40 guests in the utmost of comfort, with four spacious decks offering a refined restaurant, welcoming bar, jacuzzi and open-deck hosting sunset cocktails, live concerts and an open-air cinema. Ideal for scuba divers as the only vessels in the Maldives with a 5* PADI rating, each yacht is fully equipped with state-of-the-art diving gear and an accompanying 20m dive dhoni boat with the latest Bauer Nitrox compressor.
For more information, visit www.scubaspa.com.

Teresa Tarmey Relaunches The World's Only Underwater Spa, Unveiling Her New Residency At Huvafen Spa, Maldives
Renowned skincare expert, Teresa Tarmey, has unveiled a residency at the soon-to-be re-launched Maldives luxury resort Huvafen Fushi, home of the world's only underwater spa. From December 2017, guests will be able to experience Teresa Tarmey's celebrated Signature Facial in the opulent Huvafen Spa treatment rooms situated in the lagoon, eight metres deep in the Indian Ocean.
For more information, visit www.huvafenfushi.com.

PACKAGES

Enjoy The New Year Gala Dinner And Beach Party at Mirihi Island Maldives For £305 Per Person
Mirihi Island Maldives' festive rate for guests from 23 December 2017 – 6 January 2018 is approx. £1,163 ($1,540) per person per night, based on double occupancy, plus mandatory Half Board basis (approx. £75 ($100) per person per night), plus 10% service charge, 12% GST and £4 ($6) green tax. The mandatory supplements for Christmas and New Year Gala dinner are £151 ($200) and £302 ($400) respectively.
For more information or to book, visit www.mirihi.com.

Luxury Escape Package at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa From £2,972 Per Couple
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is offering a four-night Luxury Escape Package from £2,972 ($4,000) per couple. Package includes four nights' accommodation, domestic flights for two people and return speedboat transfers to the resort, daily breakfast and three-course dinner at The Dining Room, one themed buffet dinner at The Island Grill and £111 ($150) spa credit per room, per stay. Price is valid for travel until 30 September 2018 and is applicable for bookings made via www.maldiveshadahaa.park.hyatt.com. Please quote offer code 'MLDLUX' when making a reservation.

All-Inclusive Dive With A Purpose Seven-Night Package From £1,385 Per Person
Carpe Diem Maldives is offering a seven-night all-inclusive Dive With A Purpose package from £1,385 per person. Guests can choose to help Coral Reef CPR to remove crown of thorns starfish from reefs in the Maldives from 19 – 26 May, 15 – 22 July, or 9 – 16 September, or track whale sharks, mantas and turtles from 26 May – 2 June. Package includes seven nights aboard the assigned Carpe Diem Maldives vessel, three to four dives daily, use of tanks, weights and belts, three meals daily plus between-dive snacks, soft drinks, airport transfers, and on-board evening workshops on marine ecology from marine biologists. Divers must have an Advanced PADI qualification, excellent buoyancy control and ideally a minimum of 70 dives.
For more information or to book, visit www.carpediemmaldives.com.

For further information on the Maldives, visit www.visitmaldives.com.