15 minute read
EQUATOR VILLAGE MALDIVES: AN EXOTIC ADVENTURE
Although there are no exact records of when the first settlers arrived in Addu Atolls, several historians have tentatively concluded that people had been living in the islands of Addu for a period of more than 2,000 years. One of the most significant influences on Addu’s modern history has been the British bases, first established on Gan during World War II as part of the Indian Ocean defence. In 1956, they developed a Royal Air Force base on Addu as a strategic Cold War outpost and built a series of causeways connecting Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo. This base is at present the Gan International Airport.
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Equator Village Maldives is built on what used to be the Royal Air Force’s Sergeants Mess. The ancient colonial buildings still stand and have been tastefully converted and renovated with a modern look, giving Equator Village that colonial charm mixed with the unique beauty of Southern Maldives, and a splash of culture and mystery.
Set amidst a tropical garden, it is the ideal home away from home for those wishing to experience a different side of the Maldives. It is one of the few resorts in Maldives that is connected to local islands.
Just five minutes away from the airport, the resort has 78 spacious bungalows opening onto pretty courtyard gardens. Each room is spacious and chic, designed with classic elegance, and has its own veranda overlooking tropical flowers and plants, including native tree species like coconut, bilimbi and frangipani. The resort also has rooms with a beautiful ocean-view for guests who would much rather prefer it.
The resort has recently undergone a tasteful refurbishment to elevate its heritage and lush gardens, with a refurbished reception area, restaurant, bar, pool, gym, and beachfront.
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In water, on land or indoors there are plenty of activities to engage yourself in, including mountain bicycles to explore the islands.
The resort’s Dive Centre is managed by Diverland, one of the most experienced scuba diving companies in the Maldives. This team of passionate instructors and guides offer a variety of courses from introductory dives to more advanced courses certified by PADI and SSI. They provide tailor made dive experiences for guests.
One of the most exciting dives in the atoll is the British Loyalty wreck, an oil tanker in Addu City. The British Loyalty wreck, which is the most momentous shipwreck in Maldives, lies 33 meters underwater between the islands Maradhoo and Hithadhoo. Over the years, it has garnered a lot of attention and popularity as a diving destination among both locals and tourists and has come to be one of the best dive sites in the Maldives.
Additionally, no diver should miss the manta point near Maa Kanda. This drift dive starts outside of Maa Kanda channel and ends inside the Atoll. On the eastern side, there is a vast plateau about 22 meters with an extremely nice table coral. Huge manta rays (manta alfredi) up to four meters are common around the plateau and they can be seen all year around. At times even oceanic mantas (manta birostris) can be seen. At the entrance of the channel, you can typically see numerous kinds of reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleons, and fusiliers.
Other highlights include the Shark Point where you can see grey reef sharks in what has become known as the Shark Hotel, and the Turtle Point where Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles are seen regularly. The Kandihera era Region has four different dive points and is home to an extraordinary abundance of marine life including mantas, nurse sharks, turtles, and rays. Gan Inside is perfect for beginners where it is shal-
lower yet offers a variety of marine life round the year.
Besides these thrilling experiences, Equator Village offers guests the chance to unwind after a long day. Serena Spa at the resort holds skills and natural secrets passed down from countless generations of healers, to gently ease any lingering tensions, aches or worries. After an hour of being pampered from head to toe, you will float out lighter, happier, and more in tune with your natural environment.
Equator Village is one of the most significant resorts in the Maldives, undoubtedly owing to its established history and the fact that it is in the southernmost point of Maldives in Addu. In 2020, Equator Village won awards at South Asian Travel Awards, the region’s most prestigious travel and hospitality awards ceremony. Equator Village won silver in two categories: Leading Heritage Hotel and Resort, and Leading Airport Hotel.
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THE RITZCARLTON MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS
Soon-to-open world-class Ritz-Carlton resort beckons travelers with immersive experiences focused on island life
Set to open June 1, 2021, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands invites guests to embrace island life from the moment they arrive on its white-sand shores. Guests will be able to absorb a plethora of Maldivian culture and
INSPIRES TRAVEL TO ITS UNIQUE ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO WITH KEY CONNECTIONS TO MALDIVIAN CULTURE
traditions, whether they are relaxing in their luxury overwater villa, watching the sunset from the sandy shore or sipping a cocktail on resort.
The cyclical nature of island life allows guests to embrace the notion of totality and the true spirit of the Maldives. The resort’s beru (the Maldivian name for drums and round shape) is centralized through the holistic philosophy of wholeness that the Maldivian culture and environment supports.
A Maldivian Embrace
Upon arrival at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, guests are greeted by a Maldivian gentleman who will blow the traditional sangu horn, also more commonly known as Triton’s Trumpet. This shell signifies an important piece of the ancient Maldivian culture, ceremoniously blown to announce a special arrival or news in the island communities. Em-
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FEATURE/ RESORTS
bracing this tradition, the sangu is blown to extend a warm welcome to each new guest.
The resort illustrates the cyclical nature of island life through distinct choices in architecture, as well as many circular shapes and structures around the property. Each villa includes an artfully crafted Beru, or drum, which coincides with the evening Bodu Beru, an indigenous form of dance and music with drums - made locally from coconut wood on the island - and one of the oldest surviving traditions dating back to the 11th century. This sunset ritual at the resort’s Eau Bar is unique to the property and allows guests to reflect on a day
full of discoveries, while transitioning into an evening of relaxation, indulgence and reflection.
Unparalleled Guest Service
Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will each have an Aris Meeha, or island butler, a concept inspired by the royal courts of the ancient Maldives. In Dhivehi, the local language, Aris Meeha refers to a person who is assigned to a royal member, one of the most important positions among the many titles and rankings in a Maldivian Royal household. Similar to a modern-day butler, Aris Meeha fulfills every detail of the life of a royal and is considered to be the closest confidant much like a Gentleman’s gentleman or Lady in waiting or Gentlemen or Lady of the Chamber.
Cultural Exploration
The immersion in local cultures also extends through the resort’s dining concepts. Ensuring all fish is caught sustainably, the culinary team will work with local fisherman to provide the freshest seafood and well-known local lobsters. Guests will also enjoy fresh vegetables and herbs cultivated in the resort’s organic garden, and have the option of learning to cook Maldivian dishes such as mashuni, a breakfast staple made with tuna and fresh coconut, as well as sample the local bites, hedhika, for afternoon tea. The resort’s signature cocktail selection is inspired by the maritime spice routes that shaped the Maldivian story and includes five spices: cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin and turmeric.
In addition to the culinary offerings on property, there are a variety of locally immersive experiences available for all guests to enjoy, including salutations under a majestic 30-foot native Banyan tree at the Spiral Garden, as well as fireside folk tales told by the resort’s Moodhu Edhuru, or sea expert. Each experience available to guests offers a holistic embrace of distinct culture and history of the Maldives.
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Maldivian Life Awaits
As guests of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands continue to explore the resort and its surrounding areas, they may find themselves at The Marina at Fari Islands, which is built around the vibrant Fari Beach Club, high-end boutiques, a selection of upscale restaurants, an art studio, and Fari Lagoon Coral Adoption & Marine Biology Center. With convenient boat transfers courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, guests are welcomed with an array of meaningful experiences during their stay.
This archipelago redefines the Maldivian experience, allowing guests of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to experience a balance of cosmopolitan and private island life never before seen in the region.
AMILLA MALDIVES RESORT
TRANSFORMS INTO NEVERLAND FOR EASTER
Island ‘where dreams are born, and time is never planned’ conjures up Peter Pan-themed festivities
After a challenging year for all, Amilla’s ‘Islanders’ recognised travellers are hungry for fun and escapism in 2021. So they have dreamed up Peter Pan-themed Easter celebrations brimming with surprises, excitement - and a sprinkling of fairy dust too.
This Easter, sun-seekers are being invited to ‘think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings’ all the way to Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences. The playful five-star resort is transforming into Neverland from March 29th to April 5th for youngsters - and the young at heart. With hectares of jungle, treehouses, a glittering lagoon and a mysterious ‘Blue Hole’, there couldn’t be a more appropriate Neverland location than this timeless island paradise.
Since the innovative resort team likes to think outside the box, they’ve come up with a unique twist on J M Barrie’s classic tale. It cleverly weaves in the timely themes of regeneration, rebirth, hope, sustainability and ‘coming together’, which will be showcased through a variety of performances, activities and special events for all ages.
‘Peter Pan – Regeneration’ will be a ‘festival of hope’, according to the Islanders. Highlights will include shows and storytelling by Peter and Wendy (aka Des and Zoie; the in-house ‘Area 51 Performers’) involving staff and guests. A treasure hunt, Easter egg hunt and crafting workshops presided over by a (reformed) Captain Hook will help keep the little ones entertained.
On Easter Saturday, kids can get involved in creating a sustainability-themed fashion show. It will focus on ‘fashion for a brighter future’, showcasing the benefits (and cool factor) of using recycled and sustainable materials. Inspired by the four elements, the kids will also fly kites made from recycled paper and plastic down the runway. Magic shows, pirate circus skills, stilt-walking and acrobatics will add even more excitement during the interludes.
Easter Sunday will be celebrated with cocktails and a gala dinner by the main pool while aerial silk performers weave shapes through the coconut trees.
Then on Easter Monday, the entire afternoon will be dedicated to water-based races, games and poolside dancing with prizes at ‘Captain Hook’s Grand Splashional’. ‘Kids’ of all ages can compete in an underwater treasure hunt. It will be followed by a Flamingo Parade of (waterproof) Easter bonnets made by the kids. The under-fives will be transported around the pool on inflatable unicorns and seahorses. There will also be circus skills workshops and an island-wide Easter egg hunt, led by Peter Pan.
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DESTINATIONS / INTERNATIONAL
REDISCOVER THE USA
a new three-part webinar series in India that will assist travel agents in updating their knowledge of U.S. destinations and experiences, showcasing family holiday ideas
Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has announced that the theme of the show will be ‘A new dawn for travel and tourism’ and the spotlight will be thrown onto the current state of the industry and more importantly, what the future holds. It will also look at the emerging trends and how innovation can drive the industry forward. Major destinations such as Dubai and Cairo are leading the way with estimated full year 2021 occupancy levels of 68% and 65% respectively and closely followed by Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat and Amman, with average occupancies of 58%, 56%, 51%, 48%, and 45% respectively. Overall, average yearon-year growth of the 20 destinations researched was 47%.
Prior to the pandemic, the direct contribution of travel and tour-
ism to the Middle East’s GDP was predicted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), to reach US $133.6 billion by 2028. So, given subdued oil prices and a general economic slowdown due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is clear that the regional economy will be relying on travel and tourism to recover quickly, once a vaccine has been fully developed and rolled out. ATM 2021 will also play an integral role in Arabian Travel Week and for the first time, a new hybrid format will mean a virtual ATM running a week later to complement and reach a wider audience than ever before. ATM Virtual, which made its debut earlier this year after ATM 2020 was postponed, proved to be a resounding success attracting 12,000 online attendees from 140 countries. “It is imperative that we include a virtual element to Arabian Travel Week because many industry professionals from around the world, cannot attend the live event in person every year. It would also be naïve of us to imagine that governments throughout the world will relax their travel restrictions, to the same degree, at the same time and of course reopening airports and flight routes will also vary by country,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market.
Ms. Jackie Ennis, Vice President, Global Markets for Brand USA
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AVANI PALM VIEW DUBAI HOTEL & SUITES
With Style, Comfort and Spectacular Views
Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites offers an enviable blend of stylish beach city living and contemporary comfort in one of Dubai’s most sought-after areas.
The soaring, 48-storey property boasts an unbeatable location overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Positioned between the vibrant communities of Dubai Media City, The Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina, the city’s world-famous shopping malls, dining, entertainment and beach destinations surround Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites, offers every kind of activity imaginable for both residents and visitors to enjoy whilst stay in the Middle East’s most effervescent, directional and cosmopolitan city.
With distinct interior design and contemporary comfort, Avani Palm View embodies 21st-century stylish living. The 264-room property boasts exceptional dwelling spaces, with floor-to-ceiling windows, fully-equipped kitchens, interactive living spaces and private terraces featuring sweeping views of The Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the dazzling Dubai skyline.
Ranging from 41 sqm studios, up to 165 sqm three bedroom units, with eleven different room types to choose from and a host of amenities, Avani Palm View pairs beautifully-designed accommodation with excellent in-house services, including complimentary WiFi and free valet parking, culminating in a destination offering an enviable, effortless existence, with everything the modern city-dweller could wish for.
Designed as a total travel solution for both short and long-stay guests to enjoy a long weekend at somewhere to call home, the property boasts an array of facilities for
venues and other family attractions abound in every direction.
Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites is the latest addition to the upscale International hospitality brand’s growing portfolio of properties in the UAE, joining Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel and Avani Deira Dubai Hotel. Avani Hotels is designed for the millennial-minded traveller whose priorities are style, value and comfort.
those who seek relaxed, contemporary comforts in one of the city’s most impressive locations. Three restaurants and bar offer a variety of dining options: the bright, all-day dining Seven Seeds; on-the-go café The Pantry by Avani; Aqua pool bar will inspire to create multiple Instagrammable moments , as well as InRoom Dining for cosy, culinary enjoyment, with Avani’s healthy, honest food concept running throughout the property.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle continues with the AvaniFit gym, with top-of-the-range fitness equipment to both tone the body and develop the mind, while the stunning dual-level outdoor pool boasts spectacular views of the city skyline and beyond, making a magnificent place to soak up the sun and enjoy an invigorating swim at either the beginning or the end of the day.
Excellent transport links are key to the property, which perches conveniently just off the city’s multi-laned main artery of Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai tram and monorail stations are right at the entrance. Dubai International Airport is just a 25-minute drive away, with the city’s second airport, Al Maktoum International, and the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020 site easily accessible within half an hour by car. Only a few minutes drive from the leisure and lifestyle hotspot of Dubai Marina, or a leisurely walk on the weekend, world-class shopping and dining options are on the doorstep, while waterparks, glorious beaches, action-packed sports
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