Travel

Brexit and terror will never undermine UK’s thirst for travel – Kuoni

Published

9 years ago

December 23, 2016

Neither the weak pound nor security threats will be enough to turn Brits away from international adventures, the marketing director of premium travel company Kuoni told Campaign, as it prepares the launch a visually distinctive TV campaign on Christmas Day.

“We did feel the effect of a nervous public” following terrorist attacks such as the bombings in Paris last November, said Dean Harvey, “but the British public are quite resilient.”

And since the referendum in June, after which the pound plummeted against the dollar, Kuoni had not seen a downturn in bookings, he added. “The holiday is one of the last things to go.”

The challenge for travel companies, Harvey said, was to demonstrate the ability to provide holidays that catered to consumer needs that might be changed by the economic or political climate. Travellers whose budgets have been squeezed by the falling pound present an opportunity for all-inclusive trips which can make it easier for them to budget, he said.

The new campaign, “Out of the ordinary”, created by Brighton-based agency Designate, aims to profile the breadth of trips offered by Kuoni.

It features a swimmer moving through a series of backdrops – including an island in the Maldives, African plains and an Italian piazza – which are created by manipulating still photographs. The ad was directed by Luke Losey and features an original track by Paul Hartnoll from electronic act Orbital.

Harvey said that Kuoni was primarily known for the Maldives, an association that was holding back its ability to increase business with existing consumers by getting them to consider it for other types of holidays – especially short haul trips.

“Kuoni owns more stores than Apple – over 50,” said Harvey. “The brand has some traction, but our research has shown that people only know us for special occasions or long haul. We’re able to sell quite a wide range of products, from Europe to the Maldives to cruises. We wanted to have our customers come back on a more frequent basis.”

The TV spot will be supported by digital, social and press, with a sale booklet going out in The Times and The Daily Telegraph in January.

Harvey predicted that after two decades in which low-cost airlines have driven the growth of the travel industry, package holidays would start to make a comeback as consumers reevaluate their priorities.

“We think the novelty of planning your own holiday is fading,” he said. “It’s become such a protracted process, and you’re never quite sure you’ve made the right choice.”

He acknowledged that package holidays suffered from “image problems”, but said that travel providers were working to shift the emphasis of their offer from merely convenience, to expertise and recommendation.

“We’re investing significantly in our retail store networks and partnerships with the trade. We encourage people to get off our website and speak to us – that recommendation aspect of what we do differentiates us from a number of players.”

Featured

One year on: Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives marks milestone

Published

1 hour ago

April 1, 2026

m@ldives

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, part of Centara Hotels and Resorts, has marked its first anniversary, highlighting a year of operations as a luxury island resort within The Atollia development.

During its first year, the resort has received international recognition, including being named among Favourite Overseas Leisure Hotels in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 and listed among the Top Ten Best Maldives Resorts in the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.

Since opening, the resort has offered a collection of beachfront and overwater villas, along with two- and three-bedroom residences designed to provide privacy and space. Accommodation options include private pools or Jacuzzis, with design elements incorporating contemporary architecture, natural materials and Thai-inspired influences.

The resort’s concept draws on Thai heritage, reflected across its wellness, dining and guest experiences. At SPA Cenvaree Retreat, treatments are inspired by traditional Thai wellness practices. Dining options across the resort include live cooking experiences at The Gallery, Mediterranean-inspired seafood at Bluefin, and beverage offerings at venues such as Sunset Social, The Club and Coco Drift.

Guests can also take part in a range of leisure and recreational activities, including water sports and marine experiences. The resort caters to a variety of travellers, offering facilities for families, including a kids’ club and an entertainment zone for teenagers, as well as spaces for private events, group stays and corporate gatherings.

Commenting on the milestone, Jorge Fernandez said the resort combines elements of Thai heritage with the Maldivian environment to create a distinct guest experience. He noted that recognition received during the first year reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, sustainability and service, while also acknowledging the role of guests and staff in its development.

As it marks its first anniversary, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives continues to focus on delivering curated guest experiences, with an emphasis on hospitality, design and sustainable operations within the destination.

Action

Michael Owen leads Easter football camp at Avani+ Fares Maldives

Published

17 hours ago

March 31, 2026

m@ldives

Avani+ Fares Maldives has launched the 2026 edition of its football camp with former England striker Michael Owen, marking the return of the programme following its introduction last year. The camp, which began on 30 March, will run until 3 April as part of the resort’s Easter programme.

The programme opened with a family cocktail and mocktail evening, bringing together participating families and setting the tone for the multi-day event. More than 30 children and teenagers are taking part in the camp, which features daily training sessions led by Owen alongside a team of assistant coaches.

The camp is designed for children aged 5 to 13 and focuses on structured coaching sessions aimed at developing core football skills, including dribbling, passing, positioning and teamwork. Sessions are tailored to different age groups and ability levels, with an emphasis on participation and engagement.

The programme also incorporates a range of complementary activities beyond the pitch, aligning with the resort’s broader family-focused Easter offering. These include recreational activities for children and teenagers, as well as shared experiences for families, positioning the camp as part of a wider holiday programme rather than a standalone training initiative.

At the conclusion of the camp, participants are scheduled to receive certificates and medals, with additional opportunities for meet-and-greet sessions, autograph signings and photo sessions with Owen.

“Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp,” Owen said. “It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”

Avani+ Fares Maldives first introduced the football camp in 2025 as part of its efforts to expand its experiential programming for families. The return of the camp for a second year reflects continued demand for sports-led guest experiences within resort settings in the Maldives, particularly during peak holiday periods such as Easter.

Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Avani+ Fares Maldives has positioned its Easter programme around a mix of sport, wellness and family-oriented activities, with the football camp serving as a central feature of this year’s lineup.

News

Sun Siyam Iru Veli introduces new treatments at Ocean Spa

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

m@ldives

Sun Siyam Iru Veli, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Sun Siyam, enhances its wellness offering with a variety of curated treatments at Ocean Spa, bringing together Maldivian heritage, time-honoured healing practices, and personalised spa journeys.

Available daily, these treatments range from Haveeru Harmony – The Iruveli Ritual, a signature couple’s experience inspired by island twilight, to Nirvana, an Ayurvedic therapy combining Abhyanga and Shirodhara, and the Hiyala Head & Scalp Massage, a locally inspired treatment rooted in traditional coconut oil rituals. Each experience is designed to restore balance, encourage reconnection, and deepen the resort’s holistic approach to wellbeing.

Haveeru Harmony – The Iruveli Ritual

This 150-minute couple’s experience is timed to coincide with the island’s transition into evening, drawing inspiration from the calm and stillness of a Maldivian twilight. Designed as a private experience for couples, the treatment brings together key elements of a full spa journey, including exfoliation, massage, and hydrotherapy. It is curated with couples in mind, creating a more intimate approach to relaxation and shared wellbeing. With only one session available per day, the ritual is positioned as one of the most exclusive offerings within the Ocean Spa’s wellness portfolio.

Ayurveda Treatment Nirvana

Ayurveda forms an integral part of the wellness philosophy at Ocean Spa, offering time-honoured therapies designed to restore balance between body and mind. Building on this, Nirvana offers a 90-minute treatment that focuses on full-body balance, combining both Abhyanga and Shirodhara therapies. The treatment uses warm herbal oils to support circulation, ease physical tension, and promote mental clarity. Designed to restore equilibrium, it reflects the spa’s continued emphasis on holistic wellbeing.

Hiyala Head & Scalp Massage

Rooted in local tradition, this massage offers a 50-minute treatment inspired by Maldivian beauty rituals passed down through generations. Using homemade coconut oil prepared on the island, the treatment focuses on nourishing the scalp and strengthening hair while offering protection against the effects of sun and saltwater. Guests may also witness and take part in the coconut oil-making process during the resort’s Maldivian Roots experiences, connecting the treatment to its cultural origins.

Through this curated collection, Ocean Spa at Sun Siyam Iru Veli continues to evolve its wellness offering, blending global techniques with local knowledge to create treatments that are both meaningful and restorative.