Read more about here Ishmeet Singh died in Maldives

The envoy said that his country is spreading its diplomatic wings gradually by opening new missions in Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing, Geneva and Saudi Arabia. The Maldives already has diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and the UK. Shihab said that his priority is to develop strong economic ties between the Kingdom and Maldives. He said that Maldives, which has some 200 inhabited islands, is a popular tourist destination for both European as well as Middle East travelers. The island, whose population is only 600,000, attracts more than 800,000 tourists a year, he said, adding that the tourist infrastructure could be improved with viable investments from the Kingdom.

He said that the mission has plans to have an open day event at the mission for Saudi businessmen to enable them to familiarize with the business opportunities and incentives given by the state for foreign investors. The country has 100 resort islands and many more could be improved with foreign investments, he noted. He also said that one of his tasks would be to meet and assist the Haj and Umrah pilgrims who come to the holy cities during the respective seasons.

Source: Arab News - www.arabnews.co

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board together with the Maldives tourism industry participated in The Brides Show held in Abu Dhabi from 5-8th February. Exhibiting for the first time at a consumer exhibition in the Gulf region, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board showcased a range of beautiful island resorts which will appeal to both GCC nationals and expatriate residents living in the region.

Already popular with honeymooners from all over the World, the Maldives attracts visitors who are in search of peace and tranquillity in an island paradise setting. With luxury resorts and hotels, award-winning Spa’s and probably the best snorkelling, fishing and scuba diving in the world, the Maldives offers a unique, unforgettable experience to the visitors.

The Maldives is a relatively new leisure destination for the Gulf Region and it is now placing greater emphasis on driving destination awareness. Maldives is easily accessible from the Arabian Gulf with a short flight time of around four hours, with daily flights from Emirates, Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines, as well as twice-weekly flights from low cost airline Jazeera Airways.

The Maldives is currently the ultimate getaway for those who are attracted by resort style islands with plenty of privacy, stunning beaches and crystal clear waters. The Maldives provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing, rejuvenating holiday, which is a welcome contrast to the frantic pace of life in the Arabian Gulf.

Coupling the ingenious talents of Maldivian architect Mohammed Shafeeq and Thai-based interior designer Julian Coombs, Naladhu has captured the elegant aesthetics of a slightly colonial era, with hints of Sri Lankan regality in its design. However, the resort also proffers every modern convenience imaginable to the luxury traveller.

Naladhu means “pretty little island”, and each of the exclusive 19 ocean houses — each named after a Maldivian plant — has been designed to make every guest’s wish become reality.

Each elite dwelling is a colossal 225 square meters in size and punctuated by a lofty white-gabled roof, expansive glass panelled doors and generous living, dining and bedroom spaces. With a commitment to perfecting every detail, Naladhu fuses modern facilities with a sense of the nostalgia. White- washed timber wall panels juxtapose the zesty Indian motifs and colours of the house upholstery. Antique furnishings, such as an early 20th century writer’s desk and the decorous bar cabinet conjure up images of a romantic, bygone age.

Yet while the historic elements are intrinsic to Naladhu’s atmosphere, each detail of the Naladhu house has been conceived to serve every guest’s whim. A personal plunge pool, landscaped garden and vast teak sundeck make for an exotic experience within the privacy of the enclosure. As highlighted within the resort’s features, the objective of Naladhu is to provide and pamper guests with unsurpassed quality and service. The personalized, “House Master” professional butler service ensures that every desire is met.

Each Naladhu house contains an espresso machine, a fridge stocked with delicacies such as foie gras and vintage cheese and a wine cellar pre-stocked according to personal preferences.

Guests have the choice of dining under an open canopy of stars in their house Sala, or in the comfort of the Living Room restaurant. Otherwise, Naladhu has many unique dining options aimed at indulging romanticists. Meals can be served aboard a local dhoni (Maldivian boat) or perhaps on the Wave Breaker dining platform hovering over the ocean.

For reservations please telephone +960 664-4100 or email: info@naladhu.com.

Ms. Marion Walsh Brand Public Relations Director Email: mwalsh@naladhu.com Mobile: + 66 (0) 89 811 3829 http://www.naladhu.com/

A good source of Haveeru has informed that Madonna and her husband Richie came to Maldives on Thursday around 12:30 pm, on a private jet. They are staying in Baa Atoll Soneva Fushi Resort & Six Senses Spa, however, they will be spending more time in Maldives and they have set to visit many other trips to other resorts according to Haveeru news source. An official from the Male’ International Airport has said that they came as VIPs.

“There were four people other than Madonna and her husband. Everything about emigration was done in side the boat and as soon as they got off the boat they left with out staying for long in the airport” said the official.

It seems Madge and Guy (and Rocco, Lourdes, and new baby David) are headed to a private island in the Maldives in a “last-ditch bid to save their marriage.” The two supposedly are “hanging on by a thread,” even fighting over where to escape for a two week break to to save their relationship.
We’re sorry to hear this because in celeb-time, they’ve been together for an eternity…but why go to a tropical island to make-up and bring your kids?!

source: Blogger News Network

“Viva Macau is set to fly in December in a bid to bring residents of Macau, Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta to our exciting destinations at great value for money,” said Andrew Pyne the airlineas chief executive. “With this, we also bring quick and efficient access to the spirit of Macau, Asia’s vibrant entertainment capital”.

Pyne elaborated that Viva Macau will fly to Maldives twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays beginning December 21, 2006. Tickets on this special introductory fares are valid for travel until January 31, 2007; thus, giving customers more chances to unite with friends and family during the holiday season and into the new year.

Viva Macau is the only airline in Greater China that offers non-stop direct flights to the diving and beach destination Maldives. “We are confident that this will become a popular destination choice for passengers who thrive on a truly exotic travel experience,” Pyne said.

Maldives has always been a favorite destination from China and the PRD. Since Maldives received Approved Destination Status (ADS) from China in December 2002 the island has received a robust increase in Chinese arrivals. Growth rates from this region have maintained double digits during the last five year period. In 2004, growth rate to Maldives was at 37 percent, placing the Chinese market second in Maldives’ top regional source markets.

Tickets available at www.flyvivamacau.com

Full refurbishment of the two Grand Beach Villas includes:
- New teak wood floors and deck throughout
- All new furniture, fabrics, and dressings
- Floor-to-ceiling glass doors with teak plantation shutters overlooking the lagoon, reef and Indian Ocean beyond have increased privacy for sunbathing and Villa dining
- Hand-crafted four-poster king-size beds with Egyptian cotton bed linen have new throws, covers and cushions
- Wardrobes with increased hanging space, multiple deep drawers in the dressing rooms, and a luggage rack area
- Natural elements such as bamboo blinds, stone, slate and wood in the indoor and open air bathrooms, which retain their much-loved open-air showers, with carved terracotta fish showerheads, steps leading down to the lagoon, polished stone bathtubs, vanity areas with new pebble-shaped, sand-washed effect basins and honed Indian slate double vanity area tops.

Measuring 288 square metres, the Grand Beach Villa at One&Only Kanuhura are ideal for families or those requiring total privacy.

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Judges praised the eye-catching, practical design, busy reception area and clear signage for the meeting area. The use of palm trees clearly illustrated what the country was selling.