Although major football clubs like Barcelona FC have expressed interest to holiday in the Maldives, training grounds in resorts are needed to accommodate such teams, Tourism Minister said Tuesday.

“Teams want to come to Maldives during winter and enjoy a holiday with practice sessions. So we need to have good training grounds. So we are looking to target football clubs and develop resorts with good training facilities,” Minister explained.

In that regard, Adeeb noted that sports tourism had been neglected in the Maldives and revealed of efforts to enhance that area.

Minister further said an agreement had been reached with Sri Lankan Airlines to host an international surfing competition in the Maldives. World renowned surfers will compete in the tournament, he said.

Enhancing sports tourism in Maldives would see more tourist arrivals in the country, he added.

source: Haveeru Online

Island Hideaway located at Dhonakulhiin the Maldives has recently signed an agreement with ART Marine Marinas, the leading marina management company in the Middle East in order to join “Destinations”,ART Marine Marinas’ international network of exclusive marinas.

This alliance creates more opportunities for collaboration between marinas in the Indian Ocean and the rest of the world. The new partnership offers reciprocal benefits at all the marinas affiliated to the ART Marine Marinas network, and the “Destinations” membership is also a professional recognition of quality, excellent services and outstanding facilities.

Michael Wieser, Chief Operating Officer at Island Hideaway said “We are delighted to be joining “Destinations”; this partnership is mutually beneficial. It will offer a new upscale destination for yachtsmen and will increase our brand recognition in the Middle East & Asia in general. We are looking forward to further co-operation and to welcome boat owners, yachtsmen and visitors to Island Hideaway Marina.”

source: ameinfo

The largest safari yacht ever constructed in the Maldives was launched from Alifushi port in Raa Atoll on April 22, local media reports.

The vessel was commissioned by Polish company “Scuba Spa”, which is registered in the Maldives, and constructed by Alifushi Island resident Mohamed Yusuf.

The 167 foot by 37 foot boat was under construction for two years and four months, Yusuf told local media. In 2010, an electrical fault caused the vessel and construction shed to burn down, however construction was re-started the following year.

While Scuba Spa has spent approximately MVR 5 million (US$ 324,255) on the boat, the construction costs alone totalled nearly MVR 3 million (US$ 194,553), according to Yusuf.

Lowering the vessel into the water took the construction team three months, he added.

The safari yacht is currently being loaded with travel necessities and Scuba Spa plans for the first passengers to arrive May 4, Yusuf said.

source: Minivan News

Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa Announce the Opening of Their Kids Spa ‘Sweet Pea Spa’

Little people love pampering too! Guests are now able to introduce the world of peace and tranquility of the Spa to their children with dedicated treatments especially for young skin. The Spa is a haven of stillness and harmony and a perfect place for children to experience their first spa treatment.

The spa retreat is nestled in the heart of the island, a haven of lush and fertile greenery reached via a winding pebble path, wild blossoms and relaxing water streams. 20 individual spa pavilions, including five dedicated Ayurvedic suites, allow guests the ultimate relaxation and pampering experiences within complete privacy. The spa complex also features hydrotherapy and plunge pools, sauna and steam rooms. A dedicated Relaxation Lounge overlooking the tranquil spa gardens promotes quiet reflection and inner harmony.

Como Hotels & Resorts is adding its second luxury resort in the Maldives.

Located on an eight-hectare private island in the southerly Thaa Atoll, new Maalifushi by Como is scheduled to open in October 2013, complementing the company’s existing Maldivian property, Cocoa Island by Como, which is located further north in the South Malé atoll.

The 66-room Maalifushi by Como will be the first luxury resort on the remote Thaa Atoll. Como will manage not only the island where the resort sits, but also another nearby island which can be booked for picnics and private dinners.

Facilities at the new resort will include two restaurants, one of which is overwater, a swimming pool, lounge bar, dive centre, and a Como Shambhala wellness centre with eight overwater treatment rooms, a gym and yoga pavilion. The accommodation includes a number of overwater suites and villas with private pools, including three two-bedroom Como Villas.

It will becomes the world’s ninth Como property, following existing hotels and resorts in London, Bangkok, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Maldives, Bali and Bhutan. The company will also open its first resort in Phuket later this year.

Paradise Island Resort & Spa, an uncompromising destination of luxury and comfort, is to host the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry’s elite on May 12th 2013 at World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony. Set on the island of Lankanfinolhu, floats a little piece of paradise located in North Male Atoll, which is just a fifteen-minute speedboat ride from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

Luxury villas and suites overlooking the Indian Ocean are linked to five fabulous dining choices and the nightlife, as well as offering a wide range of water-sports including a PADI accredited Dive centre. The resort epitomises the true Maldivian experience. Paved pathways wind through the lush grounds, inter-linking Beach Bungalows, Haven Villas, Haven and Ocean suites as well the Araamu Spa, all contributing to the natural awe- inspiring beauty of the Maldives. It is here Industry leaders will meet witness the presentation of awards in 58 categories.

General Manager of the Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Qaisar Nazeem, says, “It is our pleasure and an honour that Paradise Island Resort and Spa is the host of the forthcoming World Travel Awards Indian Ocean, Gala Ceremony in May. It is the first time such a prestigious event has been staged in the Maldives, and we are proud to be given this opportunity to serve fellow hoteliers, tourism leaders and top travel industry professionals. We hope the success of this event will open more doors to our tourism industry and introduce us all to a wider market.”

source: incentivetravel.co.uk

Huvafen Fushi, a luxury resort in the Maldives that claims to have the world’s first underwater spa, is offering an innovative new menu of wellness packages.

The spa, named ‘Lime’, has added new treatments like Lose It, Tone It; Cellulite Therapy and Stress Buster, ABC News reported.

The spa also has above-water treatment rooms for those who would rather be pampered above sea level.

The underwater treatment rooms, which took 12 months to construct, are made of a solid-cast resin to create an underwater structure that could be set in the open ocean with minimal disturbance to the ecosystem of the Maldives.

According to the hotel the resin is five inches thick and it provides infinitely better clarity than the cheaper option of laminated glass.

The island nation is also home to the world’s first underwater restaurant: Ithaa at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.
ANI

Since joining the Hyatt Thrive programme a year ago, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa celebrates its first Hyatt Thrive anniversary by receiving the prestigious Hyatt Thrive “Doing It All” award at the 2013 Hyatt Thrive Awards.
The Hyatt Thrive ‘Doing it All’ Award was awarded to Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa for their commitment to Hyatt Thrive’s four key areas: Environmental Sustainability, Economic Development and Investment, Education and Personal development and Health and Wellness.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, General Manager Pierre Lang says “It is a great achievement to be acknowledged amongst all Hyatt hotels for our complete approach and focus in sustainable resort management. I would like to give special thanks to all our Hyatt Thrive Team for driving all our initiatives and bringing Hyatt Thrive into our Hadahaa’s culture.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa continues to show on-going commitment to Hyatt Thrive in 2013 with a visit on 21st March 2013 to Kondey Pre-School where a donation of books was given followed by an ‘English Afternoon’.

For the second year running Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa took part in ‘Earth Hour’ on 23rd March 2013 – by turning off lights throughout the resort for one hour to heighten awareness and demonstrate their commitment to responsible resources use followed by participation in EarthDay on 22d April 2013, where Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will collaborate with local councils and schools on a nearby island to mark the day. Activities will include an island clean up and waste awareness program and an educational snorkel to introduce them to the underwater world.

condensed from: http://www.incentivetravel.co.uk/

Third successive year for the world’s most luxurious surfing event August 26 to September 2, 2013.

Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Republic of Maldives, –This August, Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy is returning for its third successive year, pitching six ex-world champions in a USD 25,000 showdown that has fast gained a reputation as the world’s most luxurious surfing event.

This year’s competition will see the hotly anticipated return of Australian surfing legend and two-time world champion, Damien “Dooma” Hardman (Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia), to defend his title in the unique contest that pits world legends across three divisions of surfboard: retro single-fins, twin-fins and contemporary triple-fin thrusters.

“Goofy-footer” Hardman admitted he was “thrilled” to be returning to Kuda Huraa – and not just for the surfing. “It’s great to be returning to Kuda Huraa’s luxurious surrounds that I’ll get to share with my wife Belinda, and she’s as excited as me,” he commented. “That being said, I’ll be gunning for the Champions Trophy and the USD 25,000 prize money for sure”

Organized in conjunction with luxury surf pioneers Tropicsurf of Noosa, Australia, this year’s event will once again simultaneously feature Four Seasons Maldives Domestic Champions Trophy – a thrilling showcase of local talent that last year saw Hussain Areef, the country’s reigning national champion, scoop MVR 25,000.

source: http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=172873