Maldives

(Dive Travel Business News - January 24, 2012) -- In an era where the iPad and other mobile media platforms threaten the printed magazine’s very existence, it might be considered a daring endeavour to launch a new and ambitious dive magazine.
The International Dive Magazine Dive The World has done just that with the launch of its first edition. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 18, 2012) -- Dusit International has revealed its first venture into the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by a vibrant 360 degree coral reef and turquoise lagoon, the Dusit Thani will feature 100 villas (46 beach villas, two beach houses, 30 water villas, 20 ocean villas, and two ocean houses), tree top spa and 3 restaurants and bars as well as other utilities relating to the resort business.  The resort is also home to the largest infinity pool in the Maldives. Also available will be tennis courts, dive centre and extensive water activities in and around the resort.

Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani Maldives is 35 minutes by seaplane from the capital Malé. Baa Atoll is not only home to Dusit Thani Maldives but also has the distinction of being a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Surrounding the island perimeter, the living house reef is a snorkeler’s paradise, ideal for discovering an underwater world just metres from the beach. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 6, 2012) -- A spa ban in the Maldives is one of the threats to tourism at this popular Indian Ocean dive destination which sees celebrities and honeymooners flock to its many atolls. Exclusive resorts in the Maldives are fighting the ban on their luxury spas and health centers after the president of the Indian Ocean archipelago issued a decree on December 31, 2011 that shut them down. Islamic opposition parties argued the spas were a front for prostitution.

'The government has decided to close massage parlors and spas in the Maldives, following an opposition-led religious protest last week calling for their closure,' President Mohamed Nasheed's office said in a statement.

But head of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), Sim Ibrahim said the move threatened tourism which was crucial for the national economy and hoped the ban would be overturned.  MATI's lawyer Azima Shukoor said: 'The circular violates the lease agreement signed between the government and resort owners and the constitution rights to protect investors.' read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - September 26, 2011) -- Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, and Edward Norton, actor and activist, will speak at the third annual Six Senses SLOW LIFE Symposium, to be held Oct. 6 to 9 at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. The four-day conference, bringing together business leaders with global policy-makers and heads of state, will focus on practical solutions to the principal challenges facing the tourism industry, including low-carbon infrastructure, transportation, resort management and threatened biodiversity.

(Dive Travel Business - May 13, 2011) -- The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released preliminary figures for international visitor arrivals to the Asia and Pacific region for the first quarter of 2011. The results show a year-on-year increase of 5 percent. The sharp fall in arrivals to Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, coupled with the decline in arrivals from the Middle East and North Africa, contributed to the subdued 3 percent growth seen for the whole region in March. International visitor arrivals to South Asia grew by 10 percent in March and 13 percent in the first quarter. All the leading destinations in the Indian-subcontinent -- India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka -- reported double-digit growth for the quarter.

(Dive Travel Business News - March 30, 2011) -- The seventeen guests who joined Explorer Ventures in February 2011 for the maiden voyage of the Carpe Vita Explorer were thrilled with the diving, the state-of-the-art accommodations aboard, and the service and cuisine that the Carpe Vita Explorer crew offered. Guests snorkeled with whale sharks and had many dives with mantas, Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, snappers, barracudas, jacks and sweetlips and more. Due to the currents during this time of year, guests also enjoyed 120 foot+ visibility.  read more »

(DiveTravelBusinessNews - November 14, 2010) -- Worldwide Dive and Sail, live-aboard company that has become known for its luxury dive and sail itineraries around Southeast Asia, now has 5 vessels taking guests to the best dive sites in Thailand, Burma, India, Philippines, Indonesia, and its newest destination - the Maldives.

Since 2003,  Worldwide Dive and Sail has been expanding its fleet and destinations portfolio to include a wide range of destinations. The S/Y Siren plies the diving waters off Thailand, Burma and India including:  the Similan and Surin Islands of Phuket; Burma Banks and Mergui Archipelago and; India's Andaman Islands. The S/Y Philippines Siren offers four different itineraries around the Philippines including: South Visayas; Southern Leyte; Boracay and area and; Tubbataha Marine Park.  The S/Y Mandarin Siren travels to Northern Sulawesi and Raja Ampat (North and South). The S/Y Indo Siren conducts several journeys including: Komodo National Park; Komodo to Flores, Flores to Raja Ampat, Raja Ampat and Raja Ampat to Ambon. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - November 5, 2010) -- Celebrating 24 years of live-aboard diving, Explorer Ventures is using DEMA Show 2010 to say thanks to the industry. During the show, Explorer Ventures will partner with Scuba Radio to give away over $11,000 in Explorer Ventures’ live-aboard trips.

Each morning between 9:30 - 10am DEMA attendees will have a chance to win one of 5 live-aboard trips to one of Explorer Ventures destinations to the Southern Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Saba-St Kitts, Galapagos or Maldives. Each evening during the show Explorer Ventures will give away a $2000 dive travel certificate that the winner can apply to their Explorer Ventures destination of choice.

Learn about the unique diving found at each Explorer Ventures destination on Thursday November 18 when Explorer Ventures presents "The Destinations, the Diving, the Distinction" (Room S202). On Friday attendees will learn about the Maldives with its seminar "The Maldives newest yacht, the Carpe Vita Explorer" (Room S203). Seminars will be held at the DEMA Show in Las Vegas. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - June 3, 2010) -- The Maldives’ nation continues to be a frontrunner in environmental activism with their latest announcement that offers complete protection for sharks in its  90,000 sq.kms (34,750 sq.miles) of Maldives territorial waters. The huge shark sanctuary will be free of all shark fishing and finning, protecting more than 30 different species that make their home in the region. The Maldives has further banned all imports and exports of shark fins and shark products.

"The Maldives were one of the first countries to recognize that sharks were a key reason tourists went to dive there," said Matt Rand, Director of Global Shark Conservation for the Pew Environment Group. "Today's announcement protects the Maldives' tourism industry - the largest segment of their economy - from the ravages of the shark fin trade. It is a bold and farsighted move on the part of the government of the Maldives." read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - April 23, 2010) -- On April 15, Ithaa, the world’s first all-glass undersea restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island celebrated its fifth anniversary. And to celebrate, the resort is offering guests the chance to spend the night underwater by turning the restaurant into an exclusive suite for two, complete with private champagne dinner and breakfast in bed.

Sitting five meters (approximately 15 feet) below the waves of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a coral reef and encased in clear glass, the restaurant has hosted over 43,800 diners, 151 under-sea “Renewal of Love” ceremonies and been witness to the consumption of over 14,235 bottles of the “house wine” champagne since opening.

Diners at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant experience a set-menu composed of 23 different dishes over four courses; from reef fish with grape, almond and saffron reduction to Maldivian banana and chilli mascarpone cream with refreshing crushed basil. A three-course lunchtime menu is also offered. Dinner is priced from $320 per person and lunch $195 per person. read more »