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Maldives posts 2.2 percent hike in tourist arrivals in August

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Maldives on Tuesday reported an increase of 2.2 percent in tourist arrivals in August.

Official figures for the month of August released by the tourism ministry show that a total of 123,992 tourists visited the Maldives during the month — a 2.2 percent increase over the 121,310 tourists in August 2017.

Europe, the largest regional source market, posted an overall growth of 10.6 percent over August 2017, as arrivals increased to 52,488 from 47,465.

The UK, which is the single biggest European source market, made a gain of eight percent, while several other major European markets such as Italy, France and Spain also posted gains of 21.4 percent, 0.7 percent and 33.3 percent respectively. However, arrivals from Germany declined by 7.7 percent — the second decline this year (down 23.3 percent in June) from the second largest European source market.

Russian travellers continued to show their appetite for the Maldives, as arrival numbers jumped 8.6 percent in August to reach 4,525 from 4,166 in August 2017. This strong performance last month translated into an impressive growth of 21.5 percent in arrivals from Russia in the past eight months of the year.

Arrivals from Asia, the second largest regional source market, decreased by 3.5 in August.

However, the double digit decline in the Chinese market for the past two years slowed down in August as arrivals decreased by only 0.8 percent to reach 33,472 from 33,743 in August 2017. This performance narrowed the decline in arrivals from the Maldives’ single biggest source market for the January-August period to 7.4 percent.

Almost all major contributors to Maldives tourism from South East Asia, which has been post strong gains over the past year, recorded declines in August, with arrivals from countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines decreasing by 13.7 percent, 8.7 percent and 12 percent respectively. However, arrivals from Singapore, which had been posting weak performances for the past eights months of year, increased by 17.6 percent — the second consecutive month of positive growth.

South Asia, which has become one of the fastest growing source markets, also extended its decline for the second consecutive month after posting major gains for the past seven months of the year. The latest decline of 27.5 percent is due to negative growth in arrivals from almost all South Asian markets, including India (down 28.6 percent) and Sri Lanka (down 29 percent).

Along with the mixed performance in established markets, growth in relatively new markets such as the Americas also turned negative for the first time in several months.

Arrivals from the US decreased by 2.4 percent in August — the first decline since securing a place amongst the top 10 contributors to the Maldives tourism industry last year. However, the number of visitors from Australia and South Africa, which has been on the recovery, increased by 40.4 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.

Middle East, which has proven to be a volatile market, posted a decline of 1.7 percent in August after recording slight gains for the past two months, as arrivals from several major Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates posted negative growth of 4.7 percent, 20.7 percent and 23.6 percent, respectively. However, Saudi Arabia (up 6.6 percent) and Qatar (up 305.9 percent) were the only major contributors from Middle East that made gains in arrivals in August.

According to the August statistics, total arrivals for the past eight months of the year increased by 9.1 percent to reach 972,839 compared to the 892,025 in the same period of last year.

Maldives had early this month welcomed the one millionth visitor of 2018.

In addition to a new wave of recent political turmoil, the Maldives is currently experiencing the traditionally low season.

May to November is considered the low tourist season, as these months constitute rainy season in Maldives. Between May and November, the islands boast of wet weather, making it less ideal for tourists to travel and enjoy the tropical environment.

Over the past five years, dozens of uninhabited islands have been leased to local and foreign resort developers. Several international brands have entered into the market, increasing the number of resorts to 120. That number is set to increase as the government has announced the opening of some 20 new resorts over the next two years.

Along with the new resort openings come the challenge of increasing demand from budget travellers who choose guesthouses over luxury resorts that the Maldives is known for. The guesthouse sector has rapidly expanded with over 450 guesthouses in operation today.

The government last year announced new steps to maintain a structured growth in tourism, including a slowdown in leasing islands for resort development and increased marketing efforts in key markets such as China and the Middle East in order to reach an ambitious target of a record 1.5 million tourist arrivals this year.

Photo: Palm Beach Island Maldives Resort & Spa

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130 hotels in The Prestige Collection with 4 Maldives properties

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The Prestige Collection has reached 130 hotels in its portfolio, continuing to uphold quality and excellence as core pillars. It represents the most exclusive selection within Keytel, the world’s first alliance of independent hotels.

Since its establishment in 2007, The Prestige Collection has been dedicated to meeting the growing demand for luxury hotels, becoming a reference for hospitality industry specialists. Despite its focus on independent hotels, the collection has successfully attracted prestigious properties from international luxury chains such as Rosewood Villa Magna, Mandarín Oriental Ritz Madrid, and Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya. These hotels view The Prestige Collection as a complement to their commercial strategy for attracting luxury clientele.

With a prominent presence both nationally and internationally across 36 countries, The Prestige Collection shines in with four distinguished resorts: Baglioni Resort Maldives, Diamonds Athuruga Maldives Resort & Spa, Diamonds Thudufushi Maldives Resort & Spa, and Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. Internationally, the collection boasts emblematic properties like Armani Dubai, Café Royal in London, The Pierre in New York, and Kappa Senses in Ubud, Bali, among others.

The collection categorises hotels into four distinctive categories, highlighting ideal places to disconnect, properties in vibrant urban settings, coastal options for those seeking serenity, and unique experiences for those seeking singularity.

Furthermore, this milestone coincides with the relaunch of its new experiential website platform. This platform offers users and industry professionals the opportunity to explore the collection in greater detail and drives qualified traffic to the official websites of member hotels.

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Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) Marks a Significant Step Towards Transforming Urban Waste Management

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Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) marked a significant step towards plastic waste management with the adoption of dedicated vehicles handed over to boost this transformation of urban waste management supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives.  

In March 2024, UNDP Maldives officially handed over a fleet of six vehicles to WAMCO, which included two electric vehicles (EVs), as part of an initiative aimed at enhancing waste management across the Greater Male’ Area (GMA). This acquisition, facilitated through the financial support of TCCF paves the way for a crucial advancement in bolstering PET collection efforts and tackling the challenge of plastic waste in the Maldives.

“This initiative marks a significant step towards boosting recycling rates and combating environmental pollution in the Maldives,” stated Pek Chuan Gan, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Maldives speaking at the handover ceremony. “Integrating electric vehicles into WAMCO’s fleet and improving PET recycling processes not only lowers carbon emissions but also pioneers renewable energy use in waste management. It’s a vital move for steering the Maldives towards a sustainable and renewable-powered future.”

The provision of electric vehicles marks a continuation of UNDP Maldives’ support to the Government’s vision to introduce renewable energy in key sectors such as waste management that significantly contribute to the country’s renewable energy transition ambition. By embracing clean energy solutions, such as electric vehicles in waste management practices, the Maldives can further reduce its carbon footprint and move closer to achieving its renewable energy goals.

“Utilizing eco-friendly vehicles is a pivotal change for WAMCO, signifying a major leap towards modernizing waste management in the Maldives,” remarked Mujthaba Jaleel, Managing Director, from WAMCO. “This collaboration highlights the shared commitment to environmental stewardship and the potential for such partnerships to catalyse meaningful progress in sustainability and about the positive impact these vehicles will have on our operations and the environment.”

Representatives from UNDP Maldives, WAMCO, and The Coca-Cola Foundation’s unified efforts towards a sustainable future. Photo courtesy: CIAO Advertising.

“Our commitment goes beyond just recycling; it’s about fostering a culture of sustainability,” remarked Saadia Madsbjerg, President, Coca‑Cola Foundation and VP Community Affairs. “By enhancing waste management in the Maldives, we aspire to set a benchmark for environmental stewardship.”

For The Coca-Cola Foundation, together with the stakeholders, the aim is to propel Maldives towards a future where plastic circularity is not just envisioned but actively pursued. By channelling resources and expertise into the heart of waste management, TCCF has made a sizeable contribution in enhancing and attracting investment to this crucial sector in the Maldives. This initiative is a testament to TCCF’s commitment to fostering sustainable practices and promoting the reuse and recycling of plastics, thereby reducing environmental impact, and paving the way for a circular economy.

The fleet handover event held on March 18, 2024, served as a celebration of collaboration in waste management. Representatives from UNDP Maldives, WAMCO, The Coca-Cola Foundation, government officials, and stakeholders came together to mark this significant step and reinforced their collective dedication to building a more sustainable future for the Maldives.

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Experience the Thrill of UEFA EURO 2024 with Coca-Cola’s Exclusive Fan Promotions

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Coca-Cola is thrilled to unveil its official partnership with UEFA EURO 2024TM, launching an engaging promotional campaign designed to give football enthusiasts across the Maldives the extraordinary opportunity to experience the Finals live in Berlin, Germany.

This season, Coca-Cola reintroduces its iconic football-themed packaging, igniting excitement on store shelves. To join the promotion, customers need to simply open the promotional pack, find the six-digit code under the Cap (for PET bottles) or Tab (for Cans) and enter the giveaway by sending the code to 2626, with chances of winning increasing every time they send a code! Available in a variety of sizes, these packs ensure that every fan has a chance to participate.

During the promotion, six (06) couples will win a trip to experience the UEFA EURO 2024TM Final Match in Berlin, Germany with great Coca-Cola hospitality — an integral part of Coca-Cola’s initiative to deepen its connection with football fans and infuse the season with refreshing excitement. Consumers will also have a chance to win a Smartphone which is to be won every other day and branded Premia daily making it a power-packed promo.

The promotional campaign will span from May 1st to June 15th, 2024. Throughout this period, lucky draws will be conducted every other day and broadcast live on ICE TV, with the first Live Draw starting on the 11th of May 2024.

Kaushali Kusumapala, Country Director – Coca-Cola Maldives and Sri Lanka, is enthusiastic about the new partnership, stating, ” This partnership with UEFA EURO 2024TM, marks a milestone in our commitment to sports and entertainment. We’re excited to offer fans unique opportunities that showcase our dedication to enriching their experience of the tournament, one refreshing sip at a time.”.

As the tournament draws nearer, Coca-Cola will announce further exciting activities under its UEFA EURO 2024TM campaign. Fans are invited to stay engaged and participate in the ongoing promotions to enhance their chances of witnessing the zenith of European football live.

Grab a Coke, gather with friends and family, watch the UEFA EURO 2024TM matches live, and stand the chance of winning many fabulous prizes! Stay tuned to the official Coca-Cola Maldives Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest UEFA EURO 2024TM updates and promotions.

Coca-Cola has been a partner of every UEFA European Football Championship since 1988, and for more than three decades, Coca-Cola has played an essential role in the competition by uniting people and providing fans with unforgettable and innovative experiences.

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