Local media in reference to resort management reports that Ishmeet was unable to swim but had gone in to the deep end of the swimming pool at the resort and consequently drowned to death. He was with his friends at the time. The incident occurred between 17:15 and 17:20 yesterday evening. Ishmeet was taken by a resort launch to ADK hospital in Male’ after several unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him by the resident doctor.

However eyewitness has told Miadhu Daily, a local daily news, that Ishmeet had hit head on the pool when he dived in to the pool. Further they claim that drowning may not be the cause of the death as it highly likely that Ishmeet may have suffered head injuries resulting in the unfortunate accident. Eyewitness also confirms that Ishmeet knew how to swim. Police have begun their investigations and are now questioning the witnesses.

Next Group, the Maldivian organizers of the Star Voice of Maldives scheduled for the week end, in which Ishmeet was to perform, has not made any official comment on the matter.

Further, sources say arrangements are underway to airlift Ishmeet’s body back to India. Ishmeet was a rising star in Indian music industry. He won the Amul Star Voice of India’s famous title last year.

Mr. Derek Karam emerged as the lucky winner from thousands of entries received to take part in the promotion. Mr. Karam will fly China Eastern Airlines to Maldives. They operate two flights per week between Male’ and Johannesburg.

The Maldives attracted a total of 3,293 visitors from South Africa during 2007. This is a 10.8 percent growth rate when compared to last year. The year 2007 has been a record year for the Maldives with a staggering 675,889 visitors.

The Maldives has been nominated as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, whilst The Male’ International Airport has been nominated as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport. In addition to the above, the following resorts and companies have been nominated:

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel category:
Dhoni Mighili (Dhoni Mighili, Maldives)
Maafushi (The Rania Experience, Maldives)

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort category:
Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort category:
Angsana Resort & Spa, Maldives
Banyan Tree Maldives, Vabbinfaru
Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel category:
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Soneva Gili, Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort category:
Coco Palm, Dhuni Kolhu
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Kurumba, Maldives
Soneva Gili, Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Spa Resort category:
Baros, Maldives
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi Spa & Resort & Marina, Maldives
Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency category:
Go Maldives
Vermillion International

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “Travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars”, the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards program in the global travel industry. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. The winners of the World Travel Awards are based on thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies in over 160 countries across the globe.

The voting for this year’s Indian Ocean Awards is open until 21st July 2008. Votes can be casted by registering and logging into the voting system available at www.worldtravelawards.com.

Last year Maldives won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destinations Award and Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destinations Award. MTPB also won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist and Visitor Bureau Award and Maldives Tourism industry won awards in many categories.

During the fair destination Maldives won three important awards by successfully challenging competing destinations. The awards included 1st prize in the Best Diving Area Overseas, 1st prize in the Best Resort Area Overseas and 1st prize in the Dreaming Area categories. Also the Maldives resorts and Liveaboard vessels won several other awards. The awards were based on the voting from the readers of Marine Dive Magazine. These awards were received by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom and Ambassador of Maldives to Japan Hon. Abdul Hameed Zakariyya.

This year’s Marine Dive Fair attracted over 50,000 visitors. The Maldives attracted a total of 41,121 Japanese visitors during 2007 which constitute 6.1 percent of the market share. Japan is the leading market for the Maldives from Asian region.

Source: MTPB

The Waterman Week will take place aboard the brand new, 113-foot Tropic Breeze, a boat designed specifically for surfing. Surfers will be trained in pursuits such as stand up paddle surfing, free diving, body surfing, hydro foiling, jet ski rescue, underwater self defence and tow-surfing.

Daily breath improvement sessions will teach surfers how to relax underwater, both physically and mentally, and Keaulana’s principles of risk management will be an important focus. Brian Keaulana is a legendary Hawaiian waterman who will be onboard to share his wealth of knowledge and experience. He was once described by surf journalist Dave Parmenter as “without a doubt the greatest all-around waterman alive”.

Considered an innovator in water safety risk management, Keaulana’s life is defined by the ocean. Born and raised on the beach at Makaha, and a master of tandem, canoe surfing, big-wave riding, and tow-in, his experience cannot be surpassed.

According to Wiktionary, “Describing someone as a waterman is the highest honour in the surfing community, reserved for those with long-standing and indisputably significant all-round achievements”. The Waterman Week is a rare opportunity to be mentored by Brain Keaulana with only a handful of other surfers and gain a lifetime of ocean knowledge.

Tropic Breeze is taking her maiden voyage in May this year and comes equipped with a Jet Ski for tow-ins and water safety as well as two tenders; a 40hp speedboat and a 30-foot doni for the surfboards. It is a spacious and comfortable boat with eight private, serviced guest cabins featuring air-conditioning, ensuite bathrooms and a complimentary laundry service.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn, be challenged, get fit and surf great waves while also gaining waterman knowledge and skills from the best. For more information regarding Waterman Week with Brian Keaulana, visit tropicsurf.net For further information: email info@tropicsurf.net

Radisson Hotel Maldives Hulhumale, owned by public-listed local conglomerate State Trading Organisation PLC, will be designed as an urban resort primarily for the conference and meetings market, as well as for transient guests arriving and leaving the island. It will also be connected by land to the international airport and seaplane terminal.

“This new development aligns with our expansion strategy to grow in key business and leisure destinations in the region. It will be the second hotel under development in the Maldives that will be managed by our group. We are also opening a luxury Regent resort in the Maldives later this year,” said Martin Rinck, President and Managing Director, Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific.

Radisson Hotel Maldives Hulhumale will have an all day dining restaurant with views of the ocean, a retail outlet and a private jetty. It will also have extensive ballroom and banqueting facilities, capitalizing on the growing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market.

“The events market is growing steadily due to strong economic performance in the region, with a special high demand for meetings and incentive facilities in resort locations. This will be the only international hotel in the vicinity of Male with specially designed conference services,” added Rinck.

The hotel will also offer a business centre and health club including a gym and spa as well as a swimming pool and easy access to beach facilities.

Source: Asia Travel Tips

Maldives was also nominated as World’s Leading Destination, World’s Leading Dive Destination, World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination and World’s Leading Travel Television Commercial. In addition Maldives Tourism Promotion Board was nominated in the World’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau category.

Nominations in international categories were based on winners of 4 regional ceremonies. The regional categories were held at Abu Dhabi, New York, New Castle and Bangalore. Maldives participated in Bangalore ceremony and was a huge success

MTPB won the Indian Oceans Leading Tourist and Visitor Bureau Award in Bangalore ceremony. Maldives also won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destinations Award and Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination Award in the same ceremony. During this ceremony Maldives Tourism industry won awards in many categories.