Visit Maldives announces increase in UK visitor figures and new tourism developments for 2016

Visit Maldives has announced an increase in visitor arrivals from the UK, with the 2015 figures revealing a 3.6% increase in UK tourists during the first eight months of 2015, equating to 61,720 UK tourists visiting the Maldives compared to 59,564 in 2014.
 

The Maldives is also announcing a number of new developments scheduled to take place during 2016 including new hotel openings, a new luxury catamaran transfer service and the introduction of all-inclusive plans at Palm Beach Resort and Spa from 1 December 2015.
 

The latest news from Visit Maldives includes:
 

With a strong focus on the broadening tastes of today’s travellers, Kuramathi will showcase five unique villa types during 2016 in addition to a range of new services. The Two Bedroom Beach Houses are ideal for families or friends travelling together; a duplex villa with individual living spaces. Deluxe Water Villas are set in the middle of the lagoon, whilst Water Villas with Pool are either on the lagoon or on the house reef side. Meanwhile the Sunset Pool Villas and Sunset Water Villas with Pool are located on the sunset side of the island. A range of new restaurants and bars have also been introduced, with Kobe offering teppanyaki cuisine, and Inguru offering Asian fusion cuisine. Guest favourites return with an upgrade, such as The Reef and Laguna Bar which comes with its own infinity lap pool and the Champagne Loft is the idyllic spot to unwind with a glass, while admiring breath-taking sunsets. 
 

Jumeirah Vittaveli has enhanced the arrival experience for guests visiting the island resort with the introduction of an exclusive boat transfer service in the Maldives. This stylish catamaran offers spacious interiors with sofa seating and a variety of exclusive on board services including Wi-Fi, television, air conditioning and refreshments. Built in South Africa by Stealth Yachts, the 52ft iSpeed has a pair of 800-horsepower six cylinder diesel engines and hydrofoil technology designed to make it both faster and more fuel efficient. The transfer takes guests through turquoise waters, past picturesque islands and powder white beaches. 
 

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi introduces new military pilates classes 

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is offering its guests the most cutting-edge health and fitness trends in the form of Military Pilates classes. Taken by seasoned instructor Joji Chacko, Military Pilates will include the key traditional Pilates concepts of slow deliberate movements and stretching to develop full body strength and long lean muscles. For experienced guests this will be taken to the next level of fitness endurance combining military style calisthenics and faster repetitions with Pilates to ensure a full body workout, creating sleek muscles and improving mind and body. 
 

The Palm Beach Resort & Spa Maldives, located on the island of Madhiriguraidhoo, is a hotel surrounded by four kilometres of beaches particularly popular with the European market. Starting from 1st December 2015, the resort is delighted to introduce an all-inclusive plan, including a unique selection of food, drinks, sports and excursions for guests to experience during their stay. 
 

Budget tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the Maldives, and Budget Holidays Maldives is giving guests a number of tourism packages, excursions and activities to experience the destination. The guesthouses range from traditional to modern designs, while guests have the chance to explore the natural underwater beauty of the Maldives. Popular excursions available to budget holidaymakers include Cruise Boats, Diving, Snorkelling, Surfing, Island Hopping, Sunset & Dolphin Cruises, Big Game Fishing and Submarine Trips.
 

On Wednesday 4 November 2015, Secret Paradise will be launching its first daily marine conservation excursion where guests will get the chance to contribute to the protection of ocean reefs. This will mark the celebration of the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day, as Secret Paradise will this year be promoting the WLT Responsible Tourism Banner for 2015/2016, showing its support for responsible tourism. 
 

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives has recently unveiled a new room category – Sunset Ocean Pool Villas.  Just steps down from the terrace of the newly renovated villas, guests can enjoy the 12 square-metre plunge pool with views across the ocean. With 110 square-metres of living space, these new villas can accommodate 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child. When booking this new room category, guests will have complete access to the hotel’s Premium Club facilities and experience the resorts renowned ‘Ultimate All-Inclusive’ plan. Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa has also introduced two new categories of rooms that bring indoor living, outside with a beautiful spa tub on the sun terrace that allows guests to take a plunge in their own private Jacuzzi.