Trade talk
36 / The review news
Maldives set for hotel boom
The Maldives is set to welcome 12 new properties in 2022, including adult-only OBLU SELECT Lobigili and the family-friendly OZO Maldives. Most new openings are located in the more remote atolls – Raa and Dhaalu, Noonu, Baa and Lhaviyani – whilst some are being built on artificial islands created by land reclamation, such as the Fari Islands in the North Malé Atoll. Highlights include the adult-only
OBLU SELECT Lobigili, which features an underwater restaurant and is within close proximity to neighbouring Ailafushi island. The Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort will be the first opening in the Maldives by the sister brand of Anantara, complete with a youthful vibe and a kids’ club. Address Madivaru Maldives Resort & Spa promises a dedicated spa-island plus a floating restaurant. A glamorous opening by the luxury Spanish brand Gran Meliá Huravee is set to include one private-island villa among its accommodation offerings. The Maniya Faru Resort is a new development by the company behind Reethi Faru Resort. It will feature a lagoon restaurant and an overwater spa. OZO Maldives will mark the second Maldives resort to be opened by the ONYX group, with a family focus, an enhanced sleep experience and curated destination and activity tips. Located in one of the best diving destinations in the archipelago, Tolarno Maldives Kunaavashi Resort La Vie Hotels & Resorts’ first Maldivian property has been inspired by arts and local culture.
Giving agents an Advantage The Advantage Travel Partnership has launched a three-year strategy plan that puts an emphasis on growth, collaboration and digital transformation. The blueprint is underpinned by four pillars designed to forge growth for the consortium and for members alike. Pillar 1: Footprint Expansion will ensure existing members receive greater support through consultancy products and marketing and technology solutions. Advantage also has ambitious targets to grow its network and attract new members. Pillar 2: Product and Portfolio Capitalisation promises to leverage more buying power on behalf of members. Pillar 3: Digital Transformation will further the organisation’s commitment to fully digitise all stakeholder touchpoints and
promote enhanced capabilities for data collection and analysis. Pillar 4: Operational Excellence involves a technology review and makeover of the Advantage digital platforms. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO, said: “We’ve learned some hard lessons during the pandemic, and had to identify areas in the business where we can fundamentally add more value to our members and support them through what will be a tough recovery. “This framework is ambitious and one I hope will further support Advantage as the consortium of choice for current members as well as future members. “Continuing to be the voice of the independent agent both for business and leisure travel is now part of our DNA.” advantagemembers.com
POSITIVE NEWS • JG goes to Disneyland New Disneyland Paris coach breaks for 2022 will be available through The JG Travel Group’s National Holidays brand. Ideal for families, packages are now on sale for selected dates during key school holidays periods from a wide range of pick-up points in the northeast, northwest and Yorkshire. Departure dates include May halfterm, the main school summer holidays and October half-term. nationalholidays.com/agents
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Summer with seabourne
Seabourn has announced its line-up of voyages for summer 2023 aboard its two new purpose-built expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. The programme includes the line’s first-ever voyages to the Northeast and Northwest Passages in the Arctic. seabourn.com
• New opening in Marbella METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella – Estepona, Spain, is due to open in July 2022 on the Marbella-Estepona shoreline. The five-star resort, surrounded by Andalusian landscape, will feature 253 rooms and suites. A third and fourth property on the Mediterranean riviera are planned to open in summer 2023. mettsocialliving.com
• Adriatic is trade-friendly Adriatic Holidays is to work with trade partners, including through its Gulet Cruises brand, which has been operating for over 15 years. The cruise operator offers a range of itineraries throughout Croatia and Montenegro, as well as a selection of villas in Kotor Bay, Montenegro. adriaticholidays.com
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