Business

Maldives to lease new islands for tourism by year end

Published

4 years ago

June 27, 2020

Maldives will allocate more uninhabited islands for resort development and open bids at the end of the year and early next year, the island nation’s tourism minister has said.

Ali Waheed told reporters Wednesday that the coronavirus pandemic hit just before the announcement was made.

“We will review our plans based on the current market conditions. We are trying to invite open bids for the new islands in phases starting later this year or early next year,” he said.

Waheed stressed that the new leases will focus on boosting tourism in atolls such as Laamu, Faafu and Thaa, as well as the southernmost atolls where there are fewer developments.

Local laws allow tourism leases of up to 100 years.

The government resumed tourism leases last year, in a bid to develop additional 13,720 tourist beds within its first five-year term. Twenty-nine uninhabited islands and land from several inhabited islands were allocated for new tourism developments.

Rapid expansion

The Maldives currently has 166 resorts, 13 hotels, 631 guesthouses and 158 liveaboard vessels. These establishments have a combined bed capacity of over 52,000.

The government had earlier said that 132 tourism projects involving 140 islands were being carried out across the Maldives.

Eleven new resorts came into operation in 2016, followed by at least 15 new resorts in 2017 and 20 new properties in both 2018 and 2019.

Over the past few 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 in operation to more than 150.

Singapore’s Park Hotel Group has opened its first resort in the Maldives, whilst major international hotel chains such as AccorHotels have entered the Maldives with five openings, including Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi, Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort, and Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort.

Brands like Hard Rock International, Capella Hotel Group, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Emaar Hospitality Group, Baglioni Hotels, Emerald Collection and Meliá Hotels International have announced their entry to the Maldives as well.

Existing international players are also upping their presence, with Marriott International launching Westin, JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton brands in Maldives, Hilton Worldwide re-introducing its top-end luxury brand Waldorf Astoria, Aitken Spence introducing its Heritance brand, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts opening its fourth resort, and LUX* Hotels and Resorts opening its second resort in the Maldives.

Minor Hotel Group is set to introduce its AVANI brand, while Onyx Hospitality Group will introduce its OZO brand to the Maldives with its second property in the island nation.

The Residence by Cenizaro has also opened its second Maldivian property, while Thai hospitality group Centara Hotels & Resorts has announced the development of its fifth resort in Maldives.

Leading local hotel groups, including Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, Sun Siyam Resorts, and Crown and Champa Resorts, are also on an expansion drive.

Meanwhile, the first integrated tourism developments in the Maldives — Emboodhoo Lagoon project and Rah Falhu Huraa lagoon project — are underway, with the first phase of the Crossroads Maldives integrated destination at Emboodhoo Lagoon already open to visitors.

Challenges on many fronts

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 600 guesthouses in operation today.

The coronavirus outbreak has also hit the Maldivian economy hard, as travel restrictions and other preventive measures affect the country’s lucrative tourism industry, which contributes the bulk of the island nation’s state revenue and foreign reserves.

Before the pandemic, the government had been bullish about tourism prospects, targeting two million, high-spending holidaymakers this year after last year’s record 1.7 million.

However, only 382,760 tourists visited the Maldives before the country closed its borders on March 27. It was a 40.8 per cent decline over the 646,092 that visited the Maldives from January to March last year.

With arrival numbers falling, several resorts across the Maldives suspended operations.

Tourism has been the bedrock of the Maldives’ economic success. The $5 billion-dollar economy grew by 6.7 per cent in 2018 with tourism generating 60 per cent of foreign income.

However, the government is at present projecting a possible 13 per cent economic contraction this year — an estimated $778 million hit.

On March 8, Maldives reported its first cases of the novel coronavirus, as two hotel employees tested positive for Covid-19 at a luxury resort in the archipelago.

Eighteen more cases — all foreigners working or staying resorts and liveaboard vessels except five Maldivians who had returned from abroad — were later identified.

A six-case cluster of locals, detected in capital Male on April 15, confirmed community transmission of the coronavirus. Several more clusters have since been identified, bringing the total number of confirmed case in the Maldives to 2,283.

Eight deaths have been reported and 1,863 have made full recoveries.

The Maldives announced a state of public health emergency on March 12, the first such declaration under a recent public health protection law.

The public health emergency declaration allowed the government to introduce a series of unprecedented restrictive and social distancing measures, including stay-at-home orders in capital Male and its suburbs, a ban on inter-island transport and public gatherings across the country, and a nationwide closing of government offices, schools, colleges and universities.

Non-essential services and public places in the capital such as gyms, cinemas and parks were also shut.

Restaurants and cafes in the capital were asked to stop dine-in service and switch to takeaway and delivery.

A nationwide shutdown of all guesthouses, city hotels and spa facilities located on inhabited islands was also ordered.

These measures allowed authorities to contain the outbreak.

More than half of the people who contracted the virus have recovered and daily recoveries have over taken the number of new infections detected per day.

The restrictions are now being eased in phases, with the second phase lasting at least until June end.

The Maldives will also reopen its borders on July 15.

Related Topics:Ministry of Tourism Tourism Tourism growth

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Etienne Ng, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay), to speak at Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024

Published

17 hours ago

September 7, 2024

m@ldives

Hotelier Maldives has announced that Etienne Ng, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay), will be a featured speaker at the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024. The GM Forum, the largest gathering of hospitality professionals in Maldives, will take place on September 19 at CROSSROADS Maldives.

Etienne Ng leads Weixin Pay’s operations across Southeast Asia, where the platform has seen substantial growth. His session at the forum will primarily focus on Chinese travel trends and their spending behaviour. He will also highlight the role of digital payments in enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency within the hospitality industry.

Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, commented on the announcement: “Etienne Ng’s participation at the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024 will offer attendees valuable insights into the growing impact of digital payments in the tourism and hospitality sectors. His experience in managing Weixin Pay’s expansion in Southeast Asia makes him a key voice in discussions about the future of payment solutions in the industry.”

This year’s GM Forum, now in its eighth edition, will focus on ‘The Evolving Luxury Landscape’ in the Maldives. Industry leaders will discuss the future of luxury travel, including the new luxury traveller’s psyche, digital marketing, and sustainable practices. Topics will cover private islands, underwater experiences, and the opportunities and challenges faced by hoteliers in the country. The forum will feature diverse panels and interactive sessions, emphasising personalised guest experiences and local cultural integration. It aims to foster active participation and share innovative case studies from the luxury travel industry.

Sponsors and partners of GM Forum 2024 include:

Ooredoo Maldives: Digital Partner (Title Sponsor)
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM): Silver Sponsor
Dhivehi Insurance: Silver Sponsor
Fuel Supplies Maldives: Silver Sponsor
Manta Air: Aviation Partner
Male’ Aerated Water Company: Beverage Partner
Atmosphere Wellness: Wellness Partner
Souvenir Marine: Transport Partner
Printlab: Printing Partner
CROSSROADS Maldives: Venue Partner
Lights Out: Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: Alia Investments, Villa Hakatha, GAGE, Wyntronix, Uniforms Unlimited and Spa Ceylon Maldives

With Etienne Ng joining the lineup of speakers, the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024 will offer attendees insights into the latest developments in digital payment technologies and their applications in the Maldivian hospitality sector.

John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group, will be the keynote speaker at the event. Hotelier Maldives will soon announce additional speakers, presenters, and panel discussions, further shaping the forum’s agenda.

Business

John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group, announced as Keynote Speaker for Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024

Published

3 days ago

September 5, 2024

m@ldives

The Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024 is set to welcome John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group, as the keynote speaker. The GM Forum, the largest gathering of hospitality professionals in Maldives, will take place on September 19 at CROSSROADS Maldives.

John oversees 30 travel brands in various sectors across 20+ countries. He joined dnata in November 2017 as CEO B2B Europe after serving as COO of Spafinder Wellness in Miami. In May 2018, his role at dnata expanded to include all B2B and B2C trading brands within the UK.

John, who has held several non-executive director posts in travel, as well as served on the board of both the UK’s Institute of Travel & Tourism and Association of British Travel Agents, will share his insights on the evolving landscape of global travel and its implications for the Maldives’ hospitality sector. His keynote address is highly anticipated, given his leadership role at dnata Travel Group, a global powerhouse in travel services.

“We are thrilled to have John Bevan as our keynote speaker this year. His vast experience and forward-thinking approach will provide invaluable perspectives to our attendees. The GM Forum is a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation, and having a leader of John’s caliber underscores our commitment to excellence,” Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, said.

Sponsors and partners of GM Forum 2024 include:

Ooredoo Maldives: Digital Partner (Title Sponsor)
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM): Silver Sponsor
Dhivehi Insurance: Silver Sponsor
Fuel Supplies Maldives: Silver Sponsor
Manta Air: Aviation Partner
Male’ Aerated Water Company: Beverage Partner
Atmosphere Wellness: Wellness Partner
Souvenir Marine: Transport Partner
Printlab: Printing Partner
CROSSROADS Maldives: Venue Partner
Lights Out: Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: Alia Investments, Villa Hakatha, GAGE, Wyntronix, Uniforms Unlimited and Spa Ceylon Maldives

Business

Noku Maldives to rebrand under IHG’s Vignette Collection in December 2024

Published

2 weeks ago

August 28, 2024

m@ldives

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a partnership with Roxy-Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd – a real estate and hospitality leader in Asia Pacific – to introduce its Vignette Collection brand to the Maldives.

The conversion deal will see Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, a 50-key private villa resort on the idyllic island of Kudafunafaru, join IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, one of the world’s largest, in December 2024 after refurbishment under the Vignette Collection brand – a family of one-of-a-kind properties unique in their identities, yet united by the vision to offer a more authentic way to travel and backed by the reassurance of IHG’s trusted reputation and leading loyalty offer.

Chris Anklin, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “We’re proud that our first collaboration with Roxy-Pacific brings the Vignette Collection brand to the Maldives in beautiful Noonu Atoll – a destination renowned for its abundant sea life and more than 30 outstanding dive spots. It will be a fantastic boutique resort, delivering unforgettable stays and offering the brand’s promise of weaving responsibility, community and locality together to make a positive impact on its surroundings.

“This adds to the record conversion activities IHG enjoyed in the first half of this year – representing 41% of openings and 55% of signings globally across most of our brand portfolio. Throughout this region, more than half of our signings are now conversions, which is a testament to the attractiveness of our brands, the strength of IHG’s enterprise platform and our ability to convert and rebrand in short time frames. As we gear up to our December launch, we look forward to welcoming guests to Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection – our fifth IHG property in the Maldives – as the Vignette Collection brand joins Six Senses, InterContinental and Holiday Inn in a broad portfolio of experiences with a stay for every guest and every occasion.”

Chris Teo, Deputy CEO & Executive Director, Roxy-Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd: “Maldives is a bucket list travel destination with enduring appeal, which is enjoying strong and consistent demand. It has set its sights on a two million arrival target this year – a 10% increase on 2023 – as it positions itself as a leading sustainable tourism location, and we’re providing an idyllic getaway from which travellers can explore its many wonders.”

“We know our guests seek meaningful and authentic stay experiences as they embed themselves in local cultures and connect with the communities around them. As part of a quickly growing brand family, Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection will retain its distinctive identity, supported by IHG’s scale and IHG One Rewards loyalty programme. Together with IHG, we look forward to providing guests with an elevated resort experience that will inspire them to stay longer and discover the natural wonders around them.”

Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection is a 45-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport or a 40-minute flight to Maafaru Domestic Airport, followed by a 15-minute speed boat ride to the island.

With a land area of almost 90,000 square metres, it features 30 overwater villas and 20 beachfront villas, most of which have a private pool. With the smallest villa at 175 square metres, the property boasts some of the largest villas in the Maldives – perfect for couples, friends and families to enjoy unforgettable stays.

Facilities include two restaurants and bars, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, retail outlet and a diving and watersports centre offering access to a rich diversity of marine life, including grey reef sharks, stingrays and sea turtles.

IHG launched Vignette Collection in August 2021 to offer a different price point to the upscale conversion brand voco and complement its existing Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio. The brand has grown globally to 18 open hotels, including Convent Square Lisbon, Vignette Collection in Portugal, The Halyard Liverpool, Vignette Collection in the UK, Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, Vignette Collection and Dinso Resort & Villas Phuket, Vignette Collection in Thailand, Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort in UAE and Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley in Australia.