Connect with us

Featured

2021 year for luxury travel?

Published

on

After a year that left us locked down and staring at the same four walls at home, Tripadvisor’s latest research reveals a new mindset to book luxury travel in 2021.

Based on global traveller search behaviours and sentiment data across six markets (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Japan and Singapore), the message filters through; “people want to make this year count.”

Travel consumers, having sacrificed vacation time in 2020, are preparing to spend more on luxury accommodation and destinations.

“Out with the weekend backpacking and budget hotels, and in with the beachside villas and picture-perfect locations,” Tripadvisor says is now the dominant sentiment.

Despite the financial impact of Covid-19 hitting that intensified during the first three weeks of January, global travellers on Tripadvisor were searching for pricier trips than they had in the past two years (during the same period).

In fact, the average cost of a single future trip in 2021 that travellers globally are planning on Tripadvisor jumped 13 per cent since January 2019. In the UK and Singapore, that rises even more significantly, to 64 per cent and 45 per cent respectively since 2019.

When looking at the international destinations showing the biggest increase in hotel searches for trips planned in 2021, based on searches in the first two weeks of January (versus the same period in 2020), it is clear to see where some of those dollars may be going.

In APAC, travellers are longing for high-end trips to visit cities like Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai. While travellers in Brazil, Germany and Spain prefer the overwater bungalows and pristine waters of Bora Bora and the Maldives as they seek relaxation to melt away the worries of the past year.

These same trends can be seen in the destinations that are popping on the Tripadvisor travel wish list — spots people have been “saving” on Tripadvisor in the last 12 months.

Winners in the emerging destinations category of the 2021 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for Destinations include the white sands and stunning volcanic landscapes of Martinique, the gastronomic delights of Armacao dos Buzios, and the bustling and vibrant Male in the heart of the Maldives.

Going deluxe

Some of the projected increased travel spend seen on Tripadvisor may not just be down to the type of destinations travellers are booking, but also the type of accommodation they are choosing, as more than one in ten (11 per cent) global travellers said that they plan to go luxe on accommodation in 2021.

In fact, of the six nations surveyed, travellers from Singapore and the US are the most likely to have already booked a luxury hotel stay in 2021 – almost one in five have already done so (19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively), compared to a global average of one in seven (14 per cent).

With more than a year of self-care to make up for, this is also true of recent search behaviour for luxury accommodation on Tripadvisor in January 2021.

Multiple trips

The 2021 travel splurge is not just apparent in the cost of each trip, but also the number of trips travellers plan to take throughout the year. More than a quarter of Singaporeans (28 per cent) surveyed said that they plan to take three or more international trips in 2021 – this is ahead of the global average of 24 per cent.

“If dipping your toes in the bath was the closest you came to a poolside break last year, then you are not alone,” said Tripadvisor senior research analyst Val Anthony.

“2020 was a year the world’s horizons narrowed by necessity, but that has only made travellers everywhere more determined than ever to spend big on adventure and exploration in 2021, and we are seeing that in the trips millions are planning around the world.”

Maldives reopened its borders to foreign tourists on July 15, 2020, after it remained suspended for a few months in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the border reopening, 30-day free on-arrival visa is issued to all tourists with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility in the country.

There is no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival, but tourists have to complete an online health declaration form and provide a negative PCR test result taken at least 96 hours prior to their departure.

Visitors with symptoms of the Covid-19 respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus or those travelling with someone who has similar symptoms are also tested at their own expense.

Featured

Coco Collection hosts transformative wellness retreat for World Wellness Weekend

Published

on

Coco Collection, a renowned luxury island resort brand in the Maldives, is celebrating the 8th Annual World Wellness Weekend with a series of holistic wellness activities from September 20th to 22nd. Surrounded by the pristine beauty of the Maldives, this event aims to inspire guests and associates to embrace health and wellbeing, joining millions of others around the world who participate in wellness activities at over 8,000 venues across 160 countries.

At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, guests can indulge in rejuvenating experiences at Coco Spa, where a carefully curated retreat of treatments focuses on stress relief and detoxification. Offerings include Body Stretching, Detox Back Massages with Sauna, and Foot Massages, all designed to refresh and re-energise the body. A friendly volleyball match for guests and associates is also planned, promoting cardiovascular health, mental agility, and camaraderie. To complement the wellness journey, guests can enjoy specially curated Lagoon Lunches featuring a Wellness Menu that showcases nutritious, delicious dishes prepared by the resort’s talented chefs.

Over at Coco Bodu Hithi, the wellness weekend unfolds with a three-day program that introduces a variety of healthy dishes and refreshing detox beverages infused with herbs and green tea, served each morning. Guests are invited to participate in Sunrise Meditation and Sunset Yoga sessions with the resident yogi, fostering calmness and mindfulness.

In support of mental wellbeing, Coco Bodu Hithi also highlights its “Nurturing Minds” initiative, which focuses on the emotional health of its associates. Through Wellness Navigators, a team of experts dedicated to mental health, the initiative aims to transform emotional wellbeing within the Maldives’ hospitality industry.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives partners with Music in Paradise for milestone celebration of live performances

Published

on

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, in collaboration with Music in Paradise, recently marked a significant milestone in live entertainment with their 10th-anniversary event, “Stranded in the Maldives.” The celebration featured eight electrifying performances by renowned Australian artists such as Ian Moss, Kate Ceberano, Troy Cassar-Daley, Jon Stevens, Mahalia Barnes, and David Campbell, captivating an audience of 300 guests. This landmark event further cemented the resort’s status as the premier destination for exceptional performances and rich cultural experiences.

Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, expressed his pride in the event’s success: “These past ten days have truly highlighted what makes Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives special—not just our beautiful surroundings and world-class performances, but the dedication of our incredible team.”

He emphasised the resort’s strong partnership with Music in Paradise: “Our relationship with Music in Paradise is truly unique. Their entertainment teams are top-notch, and combined with our team’s culinary expertise and thrilling excursions, it’s a collaboration that consistently delivers outstanding experiences.”

Mark credited each team member at Kandooma for their role in providing unforgettable guest experiences, noting that their joint efforts with Music in Paradise have set a new standard for live entertainment in the Maldives. He also hinted at exciting plans for 2025, with concert dates already confirmed.

Throughout 2024, the resort continually raised the bar, offering a wide array of performances from artists like Delta Goodrem, You Am I, and The Living End, set against the stunning backdrop of the island. “Stranded in the Maldives” showcased both internationally acclaimed artists and rising stars, including Ruby Rodgers (daughter of Mahalia Barnes), Gypsy Rogers (daughter of Kate Ceberano), and Gem Cassar-Daley, who delivered everything from intimate acoustic sets to high-energy concerts under the Maldivian sky.

As the resort reflects on this remarkable event, Mark extended heartfelt gratitude to Music in Paradise for their decade-long collaboration. Their unwavering commitment to excellence has been crucial in crafting memorable guest experiences year after year.

Looking forward to 2025, the resort is excited to announce a stellar lineup featuring both returning favourites and fresh new talent. Guests can expect performances from Birds of Tokyo in April, The Church in May, and Missy Higgins in June. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives remains dedicated to creating unparalleled experiences that raise the bar for entertainment in the Maldives.

Guests are encouraged to follow Music in Paradise’s official channels for updates on the 2025 program and exclusive offers. The resort eagerly looks forward to welcoming guests back next year for another unforgettable journey of music, culture, and paradise.

Continue Reading

Featured

New conservation milestone: InterContinental Maldives secures ISRA status for vital manta ray habitat

Published

on

The lagoon at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, along with Maamunagau and Fenfushi, has officially been recognised as an Important Shark & Ray Area (ISRA).

This recognition follows the resort’s ongoing collaboration with the Manta Trust, a leading global manta ray research and conservation organisation. Extensive research conducted by the on-site team has contributed to this achievement, granting the lagoon international recognition as a vital habitat for manta rays and a priority for conservation efforts. Years of scientific research and data collection, supported by the resort, have led to this designation, marking a step toward implementing protective measures in the surrounding area. This announcement is also part of the Manta Trust’s broader efforts to establish the area as a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

InterContinental Maldives first partnered with the Manta Trust in 2019, recognising the unique opportunity of being located near a newly discovered juvenile reef manta ray feeding ground. The resort’s surrounding waters are home to a large and thriving population of reef manta rays, providing Manta Trust researchers with an unparalleled chance to study these magnificent creatures.

In addition to the Maamunagau lagoon, several other nearby locations have also been designated as ISRAs: Dhikkuredhoo & Madivaafaru, approximately 30 minutes from the resort and popular for snorkelling with mantas (where visitors can witness mass feeding events between June and November), as well as Vandhoo & Kottefaru.

Jess Haines, a PhD Researcher with The Manta Trust, expressed her excitement over the achievement: “It’s a fantastic milestone to have multiple areas in Raa Atoll designated as Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). This accomplishment reflects the value of Manta Trust’s data collection, which wouldn’t have been possible without the resort’s support. I look forward to using the data in my PhD research to produce important findings and continue working to protect these critical marine habitats for young manta rays.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.