News
Sunbathing attracting Indian tourists: survey

Maldives Promotion House – Sun bathing, beach massages, surfing, swimming and snorkeling are major attractions for Indians to beach destinations, with Delhiites showing the highest propensity for sun bathing among Indian travellers, a survey by Expedia says.
The 2012 Flip Flop Report, an analysis of behaviour and preferences among beachgoers in Asia, North America, South America, Europe and Australia, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Expedia adds that Indians have been preferring beach vacations in Goa, Thiland, Maldives, Bali, Malaysia, Miami, Hawaii, Caribbean, California, Brazil, et al.
“As opposed to the perception of high price sensitivity, Indians have been deciding on beach destinations depending on food and beverage availability and novelties,” said Manmeet Ahluwalia, marketing head at Expedia India.
Delhiites have been preferring international destinations while those from Mumbai chose domestic vacations. Indians however, spend 5.4 days on beach vacation unlike the global average of 7.7 days. Indians place new experiences over relaxation for opting for a beach holiday, the report indicates.
Travel partners at the most recent beach vacation included spouse or partners, friends and parents, in that order. However, India and Brazil have the highest number of beachgoers globally traveling with their parents. Delhiites travel least with parents, the report states.
Tourists from Mumbai rank highest in posing for pictures that they do not want their business associates to see. Tourists from Delhi and Mumbai travel with friends and least with parents.
“When Indian adults were asked to choose between spending time at the beach and spending time with family, among other options, the beach won handily.
“Eighty percent of Indian travelers are already planning to go for a beach vacation within 12 months,” he added.
While the average stays for a beach vacation is 7.7 days globally, Indians fall below average at 5.4 days.
The specific findings for Indians include:
- Given a choice 30 percent would opt for beach holiday with plenty of relaxation time, and 27 percent for a romantic holiday with spouse/partner.
- Food and beverage reputation, along with novelty of the destination, have the highest importance, with the total cost of travel ranking at 5th position (71 percent). India ranks highest globally in giving preference to food and beverage. Other factors include fun night life (69 percent) and activities at the beach (67 percent)
- Seventy-one percent of Indians are prepared to spend Rs. 15,000 or more on a beach trip
- Over 56 percent now consult magazines, travel sites and research for destinations and 60 percent rely on recommendations from friends, peers or family
- Sixty-eight percent of Indian women look for a secluded beach environment. (IANS)
Awards
Sirru Fen Fushi secures top spots in Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has been honoured in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, securing top rankings in two highly sought-after categories:
- #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives
- #4 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives
These accolades underscore the resort’s unwavering commitment to providing immersive, meaningful, and luxurious experiences for guests of all ages.
Celebrated for its expansive villas tailored with families in mind, Sirru Fen Fushi offers serene sanctuaries in beach, jungle, and overwater settings. Accommodations include the unique Safari Tented Villas, Sirru Residences, and spacious two- and three-bedroom villas, along with deluxe family lodgings—each offering privacy, ample space, and direct access to either the lagoon or beach.
Beyond its thoughtfully designed accommodations, the resort presents a range of family-friendly experiences. Guests can enjoy an interactive Kids’ Club, curated cultural and nature-based activities, hands-on art and sustainability workshops, and unforgettable marine adventures such as turtle discovery, snorkelling safaris, guided dolphin cruises, and stargazing. Each offering is crafted to inspire connection, learning, and joy across generations.
Ranked as the #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi features an awe-inspiring 200-meter infinity pool that spans from the island’s eastern to western shores, symbolically linking sunrise to sunset. Framed by soft white sands and boundless ocean views, the pool has become an iconic centerpiece of the resort—captivating photographers, influencers, and leisure seekers from around the world.
Nestled on a pristine, untouched island, Sirru Fen Fushi seamlessly blends the quintessential Maldivian experience with sustainability, artistic expression, and cultural immersion. With this latest recognition, the resort continues to set new standards for modern luxury through meaningful travel and exceptional hospitality.
Awards
Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific awards Villa Nautica Best Resort Pool in Maldives

Villa Nautica’s signature infinity pool has been awarded the title of Best Resort Pool in the Maldives by readers of the Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific Luxury Awards 2025. More than just an architectural feature, the pool serves as the heart of the resort—a tranquil expanse of water that seamlessly mirrors the sea beyond and transforms swimming into a meditative experience. Here, thoughtful design blends effortlessly with the natural environment, creating a space where the boundaries between land, water, and sky dissolve into serenity.
Located in the North Malé Atoll, only a short speedboat ride from the capital, Villa Nautica’s 1,350-square-meter pool is both a focal point and a design statement. It does not clamor for attention but draws it gently, extending confidently toward the horizon and creating the illusion of merging with the open ocean—while still offering the comfort and stability of land.
What distinguishes this pool is not merely its size or the flawless infinity illusion, but the way it quietly becomes part of the guest’s daily rhythm. Sun loungers are thoughtfully spaced and positioned, offering just the right amount of shade and always seeming to face the light at its most flattering angle. From morning sunbathing to lazy midday naps and sunset refreshments, the space is designed for lingering.
Adjacent to the pool is Press & Pot, a favoured spot among guests who enjoy pairing their swim with an artisanal coffee. The scent of freshly brewed espresso mingles with the sea breeze and the subtle aroma of sunscreen. Here, pastries come warm from the oven, tropical fruits are sliced to order, and coffee is served to a standard that rivals any urban café—with the added luxury of an uninterrupted ocean view.
Villa Nautica’s approach is not one of ostentation but of elegance. Its luxury lies in the details: the coolness of the stone underfoot, the soft rustle of palm leaves, and the way the water reflects the sky like glass as dusk approaches. It is an environment where nature and design exist in perfect, understated harmony.
This is what set Villa Nautica apart and earned it top honors. Among a competitive field of exceptional Maldivian resorts, the Travel + Leisure panel identified a timeless quality here. This is not simply a pool to swim in—it is one to experience. A space that encourages guests to pause, disconnect, and simply be.
Featured
Global recognition for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort at 2025 T+L Luxury Awards

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been named the #1 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives and secured the #7 position in the Best Resorts in the Maldives category at the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, held on 19 June at Capella Bangkok.
Organised by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau, the T+L Luxury Awards celebrate excellence in luxury travel across the Asia-Pacific region. Voted on by readers, these prestigious awards honour outstanding hotels, resorts, and destinations throughout the region.
This recognition underscores the resort’s dedication to providing enriching, multi-generational experiences through carefully curated family-friendly offerings. Highlights include the Planet Trekkers Kids Club, Teen Escapades, and Family Beach Pool Villas, along with educational programmes such as the Junior Marine Biologist experience in collaboration with the Manta Trust. These features reflect the resort’s unique approach to combining luxury with meaningful and age-inclusive activities.
General Manager Reinhold Johann expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the accolades represent the team’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for guests of all ages in a breathtaking setting.
Nestled in the remote Raa Atoll and surrounded by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a rare blend of expansive space and barefoot luxury—ideal for family getaways, special celebrations, and immersive island adventures.
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