28 ASIAN TOURISM GUIDE 2012/2013TheMaldivesGeneral overviewfcial name Repulic of aldiesCapital alPopulati<strong>on</strong> Total area km 2Currency Ruyaafcial language Dhiehi ut English isidely spoken• Ne DelhiINDIASRI LANKA• alTHE MALDIVESINDIANOCEANNika•Angaga•al•AlimathaTHE MALDIVESPolitical unrest affected <str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the Maldives in the first few m<strong>on</strong>thsof 2012, following the resignati<strong>on</strong> of president Mohamed Nasheed <strong>on</strong>February 7. The Chinese market was worst hit by the developments –temporary suspensi<strong>on</strong> of charters led to a drop in arrivals.However, with new destinati<strong>on</strong> promoti<strong>on</strong> campaigns <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> road showsin key markets, the <str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g> industry rebounded <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> by end-Septemberarrivals rose 3.4 per cent to 691,608.Despite the problems, the government is still hopeful of reaching itstarget of <strong>on</strong>e milli<strong>on</strong> tourist arrivals in 2012. The Maldives marks 40years of <str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 2013 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the fourth editi<strong>on</strong> of the five-year masterplan(2012-2016) is under preparati<strong>on</strong>.ClimateAverage temperature 25°C to 31°CAverage rainfall 1,786.4mm to 2,277.8mmAverage humidity 80 per centBest time to visitThe Maldives has year-round tropical weather. There aretwo m<strong>on</strong>so<strong>on</strong>s – the south-west from May to October<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the north-east from November to April.Peak travel seas<strong>on</strong> falls between December <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> April,when the weather is calm with the least rainfall. February<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> March are the sunniest <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ideal for European holidaymakersseeking refuge from winter back home. However,the off-peak seas<strong>on</strong> attracts many Chinese visitorswhen prices are also <strong>on</strong> the low side. Regular showers areexpected in June <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> July.Visitor arrivals <str<strong>on</strong>g>statistics</str<strong>on</strong>g>Total internati<strong>on</strong>al visitor arrivals from January to Septemberrose just marginally to 691,608, or 3.4 per centover the same period in 2011. The average length of stayof visitors was 6.8 days.Europe c<strong>on</strong>tinues to be largest source of visitors to theMaldives by regi<strong>on</strong>, c<strong>on</strong>tributing 57.7 per cent of tourists,with the sec<strong>on</strong>d largest regi<strong>on</strong>al group being <strong>Asia</strong>, providing35.9 per cent of traffic.Trends show that gradually 50 per cent of travellers tothe Maldives are expected to come from <strong>Asia</strong>, particularlyChina.China is showing str<strong>on</strong>g growth, while Maldivian authoritiesare also banking <strong>on</strong> India’s sizable middle-classthat travels <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> relishes high-class hotels <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> top-notchcuisine.As per <str<strong>on</strong>g>statistics</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 2012, the industry faced many cancellati<strong>on</strong>s– 6,700 bed nights – from February 10 to theend of the m<strong>on</strong>th, owing to the political unrest, accordingto the Maldives Marketing & Public Relati<strong>on</strong>s Corporati<strong>on</strong>(MMPRC).Subsequently, a sustained marketing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> promoti<strong>on</strong>campaign, which included road shows in selectedcapitals <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> familiarisati<strong>on</strong> trips for journalistsfrom key source markets, turned the situati<strong>on</strong> around<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> brought about a 14.5 per cent year-<strong>on</strong>-year growthin July.Meanwhile, the MMPRC expected some 100,000 arrivalsin August, the peak m<strong>on</strong>th for inbound <str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g>,but recorded slightly less than 80,000 visitors.Top 10 source markets in 2011Countries Arrivals % ChangeChina . .ermany .taly .Russia .rance .apan .Siterl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> .ndia .orea .Top 10 source markets in 2012 (January - September)Countries Arrivals % ChangeChina . .ermany .C<strong>on</strong>tinued next columnC<strong>on</strong>tinued from previous columnTop 10 source markets in 2012Countries Arrivals % Changetaly .Russia .rance .apan .Siterl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> .ndia .South orea .Source: inistry of TourismTourism receiptsYears Receipts % Change S. milli<strong>on</strong> . estimated S illi<strong>on</strong> Source: aldies nl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Reenue AuthorityHotel <str<strong>on</strong>g>statistics</str<strong>on</strong>g>As of end-September 2012, the Maldives had in operati<strong>on</strong>99 resorts with 22,<strong>17</strong>7 beds, 18 hotels with 1,567 beds <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>75 live-aboard safari vessels with 1,125 beds.Between January <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> September, average occupancywas 75.8 per cent at resorts, 30.5 per cent at hotels <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>27.2 per cent for live-aboard safari vessels.New hotels in 2012/2013• JW Marriott Maldives Gaakoshibee Resort & Spa,100 villas• Radiss<strong>on</strong> Plaza Resort Maldives, 281 villas• Radiss<strong>on</strong> Blu Hotel Maldives Hulhumale, 250 rooms• Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, 140 villasSource: inistry of TourismNew attracti<strong>on</strong>s/<str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g> infrastructureNew internati<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> Maldivian, thecountry’s internati<strong>on</strong>al airline, began November this year.The carrier introduced flights to Chennai <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mumbaiin India <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. Italso commenced daily flights to the south Indian city ofThiruvanathapuram (also known as Triv<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>rum).Meanwhile, Mega Maldives Airlines announced it waslaunching new routes c<strong>on</strong>necting the capital with Seoul,Melbourne, Johannesburg, Tokyo <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> two points in Germany.It has added a third aircraft to its fleet, a Boeing757-200W, to support existing services between Mal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>H<strong>on</strong>g K<strong>on</strong>g, Shanghai, Beijing, Ch<strong>on</strong>gqing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Chengdu.There has been no word yet <strong>on</strong> when these services areexpected to commence.Two internati<strong>on</strong>al airports in Hanimadhoo <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ganare being planned to serve the southern <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> northern atolls.These future facilities will help to support the currentIbrahim Nasir Internati<strong>on</strong>al Airport. The move is part ofthe Maldives’ fourth editi<strong>on</strong> of its five-year <str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g> masterplan,covering 2012 to 2016, which places an emphasis<strong>on</strong> developing new airports as the main infrastructure for<str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g>.Subsix at the Niyama, Per Aquum’s newest resort in theMaldives, opened as the world’s first underwater club inSeptember. Access to the club is via a staircase from Edge,an overwater restaurant, taking guests six metres belowthe surface of the Indian Ocean.Down below, guests will find themselves in an intimateclub with floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding three sidesof the structure. The club has a bar <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> DJ c<strong>on</strong>sole, while seating is spaced carefully to allow unobstructed views of exoticmarine life.Essentials in the city – MaléFood Give addub<strong>on</strong>di a try. It is a l<strong>on</strong>g, coc<strong>on</strong>ut-basedc<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>y which comes wrapped in a banana leaf. Find it atthe local market.Quirky In October 2009, the Maldives held a cabinetmeeting at the bottom of the ocean, with ministersdressed in scuba gear. Communicati<strong>on</strong> relied <strong>on</strong> h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>signals. Chaired by then-president Mohamed Nasheed,it was meant to draw global attenti<strong>on</strong> to climate change.It was also the first-ever cabinet meeting held underwa-
ASIAN TOURISM GUIDE 2012/2013 29Breathtaking views of the Indian Oceanare in abundance in the MaldivesVianta y Ta Coral Reef aldiester. Now that’s an idea for event planners heading to theMaldives.Tipping policy A service charge of 10 per cent is usuallyadded to the bill but customers may choose to leavea tip.Shopping Mal, the capital city of the Maldives, issmall – spanning <strong>on</strong>ly 2km 2 – but there are plenty ofsouvenir shops <strong>on</strong> Cha<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>hanee Magu to keepvisitors occupied. These shops sell items suchas thudu kuna, a mat woven with local naturalfibres. However, note that the export of products madeof turtle shell, black coral, pearl oyster shell <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> red coralis banned.How to maximise two hours of free time Panini, the24-hour lobby caf at Traders Hotel Maldives <strong>on</strong> AmeerAhmed Magu in Mal, offers light refreshments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> achance to socialise. There are also numerous seaside cafesal<strong>on</strong>g the seafr<strong>on</strong>t, allowing <strong>on</strong>e to gaze at the sea whilesipping coffee.Insider’s tip for a half-day off Visit the lively fish market<strong>on</strong> the northern tip of Mal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> see a stunning variety offish such as large tuna, sailfish <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> swordfish, or visit thefruit <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vegetable market next door, all within a st<strong>on</strong>e’sthrow of any hotel <strong>on</strong> this tiny isl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> capital.Impressive lunch for clients Located <strong>on</strong> top of the HulhumalFerry Terminal, the Sea House is said to be themost fasi<strong>on</strong>able caf in town, with its pleasant sun deckfrom where dolphins are occasi<strong>on</strong>ally spotted. Food isgood while the coffee <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the lem<strong>on</strong>ade, great.Lunch <strong>on</strong> your own The Seagull Caf is a popular outdoordining spot in Male. It boasts a wide range of homemadeItalian ice-cream – the perfect remedy for swelteringdays. The caf also good for a hearty breakfast, quicklunch or just a cup of aromatic Italian coffee. It is opendaily, from 09.00 to midnight every Saturday to Thursday,Diethelm Trael roupDETHESHOT PICKAn underwater w<strong>on</strong>derl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>for the childrenThe aldies is kn<strong>on</strong> for eing <strong>on</strong>e of the est diing spots in the orld <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> eploring the <strong>on</strong>ders ofthe ocean is no l<strong>on</strong>ger an eperience eclusie toadults. Children from the age of e can no taketheir rst underater reaths al<strong>on</strong>gside the reefs ithchildrens diing courses offered at C<strong>on</strong>rad aldiesRangali sl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>.The young <strong>on</strong>es can eplore the natural eautyof the aldiian ocean ithits soft hite s<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>safe shallo lago<strong>on</strong>s full ofrightlycoloured sh hileeing guided in a fun <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>safe ay through the asicsof diing under the directcare <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> superisi<strong>on</strong> of PADnstructors.Beginner classes take place near the coral gardens of the thaa undersea restaurant. nce they arec<strong>on</strong>dent the children ill graduate to the irantreef that runs the length of the luury resorts mainisl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> from 16.00 to midnight every Friday.Late nights There are no nightlife venues in Mal.Electricity 230-240V, three-pin round or rectangularblade plugs or two-pin flat blade.Visa requirementsVisitors of all nati<strong>on</strong>alities travelling with a valid passportare granted a free 30-day visa <strong>on</strong> arrival, provided theyalso possess sufficient funds <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a return ticket. Visa extensi<strong>on</strong>smay be obtained at the Department of Immigrati<strong>on</strong><str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Emigrati<strong>on</strong> in Mal.Important c<strong>on</strong>tactsNTOThe Ministry of Tourism, Arts <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Culture is the Maldives’government body charged with developing strategiesto increase <str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g> revenue, gain investor c<strong>on</strong>fidencefor <str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> formulating <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> enforcing st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ards fordestinati<strong>on</strong> marketing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> promoti<strong>on</strong>.Tel: (96-0) 332-3224/ (96-0)3323226Fax (96-0) 332-2512www.<str<strong>on</strong>g>tourism</str<strong>on</strong>g>.gov.mvTravel trade associati<strong>on</strong>sMaldives Tourism Promoti<strong>on</strong> Boardwww.visitmaldives.com/enMaldives Associati<strong>on</strong> of Travel Agents <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> TourOperatorswww.matato.orgMaldives Associati<strong>on</strong> of Tourism Industrywww.matimaldives.comLiveaboard Associati<strong>on</strong> Maldiveswww.liveaboardassociati<strong>on</strong>.mvMaldives Associati<strong>on</strong> of Yacht Agentswww.mayamaldives.comCompiled by Feizal SamathAll <str<strong>on</strong>g>informati<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> is correct at press time
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