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Tourism growth continues

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growth Maldives.net.mv – Tourist arrivals to the Maldives saw an increase of 11.6% during the first two months of 2014 compared with the same period of 2013, reaching a total of 216,001.

In terms of market shares Europe led, taking account for 50% of all arrivals to the Maldives with an additional 1,659 tourists to achieve an accumulated sum of 108,075 tourists for the period. Growth (+1.6%) was marginal backed by sub regions Northern Europe (+8.4%) and Central Eastern Europe (+3.8%). By individual market performance, Russia was the leading market from the region with 7.2% shares. However, the Russian market recorded a negative growth of 2.1% during the first two months of 2014. Russia was followed by the U.K (6.8%), Germany (6.7%), France (6.6%) and Italy (6.6%). Out of these only the U.K market had a positive growth (+3.6%) for the period.

Asia and the Pacific brought in additional 17,412 tourists reaching a total of 94,490 during the first two months of 2014 increasing the market share to 43.7%. With all the sub regions showing positive growth rates for the period, the region registered an above average growth of +22.6%.

South East Asia led the growth with a robust +83.3%. However, in terms of market shares, North East Asia was the leading sub region covering 34.9% of all arrivals during the period. The Chinese (29.5%) market took hold of most of the shares accounted for Asia Pacific Region.

Americas (3.2%), Middle East (2.6%) and Africa (0.5%) all had positive growth rates of 38.1%, 30.9% and 7.4% respectively, during the first two months of 2014 compared with the same period of 2013.

Out of the 435 tourist accommodation establishments registered in the Ministry at end February 2014, a total of 315 establishments were operational. These include 104 tourist resorts (23,496 beds), 19 hotels (1,626 beds), 145 guest houses (1,988 beds) and 162 safari vessels (2,684 beds). The tourist bed nights of these establishments increased by 4.5% during the period with a total of 674,828 nights. While the occupancy rate was maintained at 88.7%, the average duration of stay was 6.1 days, which was 0.1 less than that of 2013 same period.

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa reimagines island experience with resort-wide makeover

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has announced an exciting new chapter with a comprehensive resort-wide refurbishment. The transformation reimagines accommodations, dining venues, public spaces, and guest experiences while preserving the lush island environment that has defined the resort for generations. To celebrate this transformation, travellers are invited to experience the renewed island retreat with an exclusive long-stay offer. For a limited time, guests who book five nights or more will enjoy complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers on any available package, making it easier to discover one of the Maldives’ most naturally abundant private islands, located just 15 minutes from Velana International Airport.

Long before the Maldives became one of the world’s most sought-after luxury destinations, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa had established itself as a place where genuine hospitality and nature coexist in perfect harmony. While many islands have been developed in recent years, Sheraton Maldives has had the rare privilege of allowing its landscape to flourish over time, creating a mature tropical sanctuary that cannot be replicated overnight. Today, the resort is building on that legacy with thoughtful enhancements that elevate the guest experience and preserve the character that has always made the island distinctive.

The island is home to nearly 200 varieties of tropical plants, 18 species of orchids, and more than 600 coconut trees, creating a vibrant ecosystem that welcomes guests from the moment they arrive. At its heart stands a magnificent banyan tree that has flourished for more than a century, a living reminder of the island’s rich heritage and enduring connection to the Maldivian landscape. The island’s tropical landscape has developed over decades and is home to native flora, abundant birdlife, and shaded pathways that distinguish it from many newer developments across the Maldives.

Alongside its ongoing sustainability initiatives, the resort’s current refurbishment has been carefully designed to enhance what guests have always loved about the island. Guestrooms and villas are being refreshed with contemporary design and enhanced comforts. Restaurants, bars, recreational facilities, the kids’ club, and public spaces are also being reimagined to create a more seamless and refined guest experience.

Every enhancement aims to meet the evolving expectations of today’s travellers while maintaining the warmth, authenticity, and natural charm that define Sheraton Maldives. Guests can relax on powder-soft beaches, snorkel vibrant coral reefs, enjoy diverse culinary experiences, and unwind at Shine Spa for Sheraton. Every stay balances timeless island charm with modern luxury.

“At Sheraton Maldives, our story has always been about bringing people together in an extraordinary island setting,” said Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. “Our refurbishment is an investment in the future of the resort, ensuring our guests enjoy modern comforts while preserving the island’s extraordinary natural beauty and the heartfelt hospitality that have defined Sheraton Maldives for decades. We are excited to welcome returning and first-time guests to experience a timeless destination that continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.”

To mark this exciting new chapter, guests who book for five nights or more will receive complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers on any available package. Whether choosing a bed and breakfast escape or a curated dining package, every eligible booking includes this exclusive benefit. The offer provides added value and convenience from the moment they arrive in the Maldives.

Guests can be among the first to experience the next chapter of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa by booking directly through the resort’s official website at www.sheratonmaldives.com or by contacting the reservations team at Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com.

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef introduces guest-led coral restoration initiative

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Surrounded by one of the Maldives’ most vibrant house reefs, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, is inviting guests to leave behind more than memories. This World Nature Conservation Day (28th July 2026), the boutique island retreat officially launched its signature ‘Adopt-a-Coral’ initiative, giving travellers the opportunity to play an active role in restoring one of nature’s most precious underwater sanctuaries.

Driven by Sun Siyam Resorts’ overarching sustainability program, Sun Siyam Cares, this initiative provides a hands-on opportunity to safeguard the fragile aquatic landscapes of the South Nilandhe Atoll. Guests become active participants in the restoration process, carefully attaching live coral fragments onto specially designed nursery frames under the guidance of the resort’s marine experts. These structures are then carefully placed in nursery zones across the lagoon to flourish and rebuild vital habitats.

To commemorate the launch, guests enjoyed an interactive morning event featuring bespoke refreshments and a symbolic frame planting ceremony. Long after returning home, guests continue receiving personalised updates, allowing them to witness the growth of the very coral they helped restore, creating a lasting connection with the island and its surrounding waters.

“Our reef is the heart of our island, and protecting it is a responsibility we proudly share with every guest who visits us,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager. “By giving our guests the opportunity to plant coral, we offer them a meaningful way to leave our sanctuary even better than when they arrived. It is a genuine privilege to empower our visitors to play a direct role in building a more resilient ecosystem while forging a lifelong bond with the Maldives.”

The Adopt-a-Coral initiative forms a key part of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef’s long-term sustainability vision, seamlessly combining luxury island hospitality with meaningful conservation efforts, guest participation, and community engagement. The resort’s spectacular house reef is home to an extraordinary diversity of coral formations, tropical fish, turtles, and countless other species, making its protection essential for future generations.

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Fushifaru Maldives offers access to Lhaviyani’s manta ray hotspot

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One of the Maldives’ most anticipated marine spectacles has arrived – manta ray season is returning to Lhaviyani Atoll. As plankton-rich waters attract these gentle giants, the atoll transforms into a haven for unforgettable underwater encounters. Graceful, curious and inspiring, manta rays can often be spotted gliding effortlessly through the turquoise waters, creating magical moments for both snorkelers and divers.

Whether you’re taking your first plunge beneath the surface or you’re a seasoned ocean explorer, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of swimming alongside these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. Think vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life and crystal-clear lagoons. Manta ray season offers an unforgettable experience that captures the true wonder of the Maldives.

One of Lhaviyani Atoll’s most renowned manta ray sites is Fushifaru Thila, located just three minutes by boat from Fushifaru Maldives. This protected dive site is home to a natural manta cleaning station, where cleaner wrasse and other small reef fish remove parasites and dead skin from the mantas. Watching these gentle giants gracefully circle the cleaning station as they pause for their underwater “spa treatment” is a truly remarkable sight and one of the highlights of diving in the Maldives.

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