A total of 13 tourism related companies from Maldives participated in the fair. The four day long fair attracted over 90,000 visitors. The visitors included 40,000 public and 50,000 travel trade and media. Maldives takes part in this fair every alternative year when it is held in Shanghai.

China has emerged as one of the most important and potential emerging markets for Maldives from Asia region. China attracted 35,797 visitors to Maldives till the end of October 2008. This is an increase of 15.5 percent compare to the same period last year. Last year Maldives received a total of 35,976 Chinese visitors.

Source: visitmaldives.com

Angsana Velavaru, Maldives

On the remote South Nilandhe Atoll lies Angsana Velavaru, Maldives. This is a perfectly placed holiday resort, which blends contemporary design and marine biodiversity, with private beach villas and the acclaimed Angsana Spa.

So that you have the opportunity to visit, The Times is joining with Angsana Velavaru to give readers the chance to win a trip to the resort. The prize includes a seven-night stay for two people in a beachfront villa, including breakfast, and economy flights to Malé International Airport, which is a 40-minute journey by seaplane from Velavaru.

Find more information about this promotion on Times Online

Find more information about the Maldives and Maldives Resorts.

The perfect getaway for a honeymoon, family holiday or a scuba-diving experience of a lifetime, the resort is sprawled over 52 acres of stunning powdery white sand beach and abundant tropical vegetation and is accessed by a 45-minute seaplane from Malé airport. It offers 180 rooms, two large swimming pools, a selection of restaurants and bars, wine cellar, cigar lounge, PADI Gold Palm dive centre, spa and gym as well as a dedicated kids’ club for the younger members.

The accommodation ranges from Jacuzzi Beach Villas with outdoor bathrooms, sala and an i-spa Jacuzzi bath to luxurious Water Suites with their own private pool and separate living room. All rooms are equipped with a comfortable divan which can double as a third bed – perfect for accompanying children.

While the focus of the resort is on taking it easy, there is plenty to do with two large swimming pools, floodlit tennis courts, badminton, volleyball, gym, a selection of watersports and a kids’ club with child minders for younger guests where children can learn to build a traditional Maldivian Dhoni boat or simply play in the miniature village. Off island excursions are also available. The resort houses a PADI Gold Palm Sun International Diving School with an extensive range of PADI courses for beginners through to the more experienced.

Boasting a house reef that is rife with both coral and brightly coloured neon fish, the uncharted waters are a real treat for diving enthusiasts seeking new experiences to discover. For guests striving a little holistic pampering in paradise, the resort’s plush Sun Spa, designed to take the anxieties out of modern day living, is on hand to ease away tensions. 21 spa pavilions have been customised according to the treatment taken, be it aromatherapy or hydrotherapy. It has also developed a pioneering programme – the first Sleep Spa Concept in the Maldives.

Until 31st October, Iru Fushi is offering seven nights’ accommodation in a Jacuzzi Beach Villa on a half-board basis including return transfer by seaplane for US$1580.00 per person. Package prices from a selection of UK tour operators are also available.

For further information or reservations log on to www.irufushi.com.

Scheduled to open in May 2009, Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa, located on South Ari Atoll, will deliver a unique Premium 4 star resort experience.

The resort is relatively close to Male Airport with an air transfer time of just 25 minutes or transfer by speed boat in 85 minutes.

For diving enthusiasts the resort enjoys an excellent house reef complete with a sunken ship wreck and is within easy reach of the top dive spots in Ari Atoll.

The Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa will be tailored to provide an exceptional experience for both couples and the family market.

Barefoot luxury will be combined with an active and varied social program for both adults and children alike and the resorts objective is to offer much more than a day-time water oriented resort experience.

Adults will enjoy premium levels of service with a variety of dining options, pools, recreational activities, Sports and Fitness options, bars and lounges with nightly entertainment, and Centara Hotels & Resorts very own 5 stars Spa experience – Spa Cenvaree,

Children will benefit from the new Centara Hotels & Resorts Kids Club concept offering 2 venues – Kid Camp and E-zone for ages 4 to 9 and 10 to 17 respectively.

Guests will be able to choose from 7 categories of beach front and over water accommodation which will range from 76 sq m Beach Suites complete with separate living room, large terrace and indoor and outdoor showers, up to 146 sq m Luxury Beachfront Pool Villas which come complete with their own private pool and membership of the exclusive Island Club – which offers guests in selected categories of accommodation  a “resort within a resort” experience specially designed for discerning travelers.

Based around the small pool, Island Club guests enjoy premium levels of attention and service including access to the exclusive Club Lounge with daily servings of complimentary meals, snacks and drinks including complimentary evening cocktails and canapés. The private pool features refreshing Spa Cenvaree mist sprays, complimentary mineral water, pre-lunch cold towel service, afternoon fruits and sun bed concierge service.

Mr. Gerd Steeb, President of Centara Hotels & Resorts, said “This is our 14th property and we aim to grow to 25 properties within the year 2010. We signed the management agreement in July and we are very excited with this outstanding Resort.  It is a completely newly built project entailing an investment of 49 million US Dollars (1.7 Billion baht) and our first outside of Thailand but with others to come”

For more information and reservations, please contact
Tel.0-2769 1234 ext. 6675-6676
Email to reservations@chr.co.th
Website:  www.centarahotelsresorts.com