International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development officially kicks off
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The event, held in the El Pardo Palace in Madrid, Spain, was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, the Vice-President of Honduras, more than 40 tourism ministers and other senior officials from 57 countries. The UNWTO Secretary-General underscored the continued growth of tourism since the beginning of the crisis – “in 2016, more than […]
Three more islands to be leased for tourism development in 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The ministry of tourism has added three more islands to the list of islands to be leased for tourism development in 2017. In an announcement published on Wednesday, the ministry added Baulhagalla in North Huvadhu Atoll, Kunnumali in South Miladhunmadulu Atoll, and Gaalee in Kolhumadulu Atoll. The highest estimated acquisition cost is for Kunnumali, which […]
Welcome, International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development recalling the potential of tourism to advance the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a […]
KSL Capital Partners’ Acquisition of Outrigger Completed
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Kelley family and KSL Capital Partners, LLC (KSL) announced that an affiliate of KSL has completed the acquisition of Outrigger Hotels and Resorts (Outrigger).The sale includes all of Outrigger’s holdings, including its portfolio of 37 multi-branded hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties throughout Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific-Indian Ocean region. Outrigger will continue operating business as usual […]
Etihad celebrates 5 years in Maldives
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The national carrier of the United Arab Emirates has celebrated five years of airline operations in Maldives, with a special function held at Hotel Jen in Male’ City. The ceremony also saw the appointment of Aviation Services Pvt Ltd as their new GSA in the Maldives. Aviation Services Pvt Ltd is a joint venture […]
Hotelier Maldives to host Wellness Summit in September 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The only dedicated hospitality and business magazine in the country, Hotelier Maldives will be taking the initiative of organizing a Wellness Summit in September 2017. Planned as a networking and knowledge sharing, day-long event, the Hotelier Maldives Wellness Summit will see a number of industry leaders and related professionals converge for a series of keynote […]
Almost 1 Billion international tourists in the 1st nine months of 2016
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Statistics by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s World Tourism Barometer has revealed that world welcomed 956 million international tourists between January and September 2016. This is a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2015, where 2016 saw 34 million tourists travelling over the same period. According to the report, Demand for international […]
The potential of tourism to preserve biodiversity
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Just a few weeks ahead of launching the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, which will be celebrated throughout 2017, UNWTO underlined in Cancun the need for national policies and frameworks for sustainable tourism that protect biodiversity and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships. “Tourism and biodiversity are natural allies and UNWTO is fully committed to its […]
Now Open: Four Seasons’ First Private Island escape at Voavah, Baa Atoll
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Now open, the world’s first exclusive-use hideaway in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll is a truly private island that couples legendary service with limitless living. Capturing the imagination, this secluded five-acre (two hectare) haven transcends the private island experience: “entirely yours” from the moment of booking, […]
Sri Lanka Declares Next Three Years as Tourism and Investment Years
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has announced that the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 have been declared as tourism and investment years of Sri Lanka with the objective of creating a prosperous country. President Sirisena made an official statement at the first Asia Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, that ran from the 27th to 29th […]
Ayada Maldives competing for World Luxury Restaurant Awards 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The over-water restaurant Ocean Breeze, and the Asian restaurant Kai, of Ayada Maldives has been nominated for a World Luxury Restaurant Award for 2017. Ocean Breeze, named after its beautiful over-water location at the Ayada Maldives Hotel, where the warmth of the sun is tempered by a refreshing breeze, this stylish restaurant is open for […]
The GM’s View: Anton Birnbaum, W Maldives
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anton Birnbaum is the General Manager of W Maldives. An Austrian native, he has worked for major brands such as T-Mobile, DO & CO or SPAR in Austria prior to joining the Starwood team. Birnbaum was promoted to the top position after serving eight years as Executive Assistant Manager at Le Méridien Vienna, where he […]
