Accessibility and affordability on the up
A FIRM date is still
awaited, but the
much-anticipated
Maldivian Airlines
direct flight between
Johannesburg and the
Maldivian capital Malé is
expected to commence
within the first quarter of
this year.
Tracy Prinsloo, Maldives
business development
manager of Perfect
Destinations, local GSA for
the airline, says everything
is in place on the South
African side for the start.
The service will
commence with one weekly
flight, facilitating six-night
packages on the islands.
Based on the increased
interest in the Maldives
over the last eight months
or so, weekly frequencies
could well be upped in
good time, says Tracy.
Although not confirmed,
it is likely an A330 aircraft
will be used, offering
economy and business
class, the latter with flatbed
seating. Flying time
will be an easy 7,5 hours,
and travellers can also
look forward to a reduced
cost of the flight through
the direct routing.
Tourism players are
witnessing increased
interest in South Africa
for the group of 1 200
coral islands, set in 26
ring-shaped atolls. Lux*
Resorts & Hotels, which
operates the five-star
deluxe Lux*South Ari Atoll,
has seen a 300% increase
in business in the last
year, with notable demand
stemming from the MICE
sector. Head of sales
and marketing for South
Africa and Africa, Alexis
Bekker, says a number
of small niche incentive
groups have already been
confirmed for the months
ahead. The resort group
will open a second luxury
property in July, Lux* North
Malé Atoll.
Club Med, which claims
a 20% share of the
South African market,
experienced a 10% hike
in South African business
last year and, according
to md for Southern Africa,
Olivier Hannaert, “we
are confident that our
numbers will continue
to increase, knowing
that Club Med is an allinclusive
leader within the
Maldives”.
There is considerable
new development in the
Maldives, much of it
occurring in the mid-market
segment. This factor
makes the destination,
formerly primarily highend
and perceived as
expensive, more attractive.
Thompsons Holidays, for
example, offers a wide
range of product
in three- to five-star
superior hotels and
resorts. Elements
influencing its choice
of locations are water
activities, service
standards, value for money
and consumer demand.
Comments Candice
Perry, marketing, media
relations and social media
co-ordinator: “There are
many more affordable
properties with excellent
offerings. We have
managed to negotiate
specials at properties
such as Biyadhoo Island
Resort, Sun Island Resort
& Spa, Malahini Kuda
Bandos and Diamonds
Resorts.” She says the
destination is one of only
a few worldwide that offer
water villas.
Stakeholders are
unanimous that the
islands have wide appeal
and are suitable across
all types of holidaymakers
– families, honeymooners,
couples and groups. The
visitor, however, must be
in search of relaxation
and water-based activities,
particularly scuba diving
and snorkelling. According
to Candice, while most
islands do offer local
cultural excursions, they
would not be the main
reason for visiting.
Tracy describes the
Maldives as an all-yearround
destination. “For
clients looking to take
advantage of the best surf,
this is available March
to October and the best
season for scuba diving is
January to April, with great
visibility and excellent sea
conditions. High plankton
density occurs during May,
reducing visibility a little,
but also attracts manta
rays and whale sharks.”
Olivier names JanuaryJuly
as the prime time to
visit, while Candice says
the best weather is found
from November to April,
which is also high season.
South Africans do not
require visas to visit the
Maldives, another huge
plus in the destination’s
favour.
How does the destination
compare cost-wise to other
Indian Ocean islands such
as Mauritius? Says Olivier:
“We are at the same level
of price but the experience
will be different.”
Candice comments: “The
Maldives is becoming
very competitive. The
majority of resorts offer
all-inclusive and clients do
not have to spend extra
on arrival unless they want
to book excursions and
activities.”
Tracy says South Africans
can expect to pay a little
more but are rewarded
with a unique experience.
Alexis, pitching at the
discerning traveller, says
the destination being
further away and not
a proximity market is
costlier, particularly due
to the flight costs. “We
are hoping that, with the
imminent launch of the
direct flight, these costs
will reduce in the coming
months.”
Tips from the trade
“Take along your own
snorkelling gear, as
clients are charged
a daily fee. I would
also recommend swim
shoes, sunblock and a
hat!”
Tracy Prinsloo,
Perfect Destinations
“With flights via the
Middle East, we highly
recommend a two- to
three-night stopover in
Abu Dhabi or Dubai.”
Candice Perry,
Thompsons Holidays
“Consulting is key to this
destination – assess
clients’ needs according
to budget. It’s a once-ina-lifetime
trip. Make sure
you are selling them the
dream they expect.”
Alexis Bekker,
Lux* Resorts & Hotels
“Have a look at our
YouTube channel to get
a true taste of what our
Maldives resorts have to
offer.”
Olivier Hannaert,
Club Med
Some island choices
A TYPICAL Maldivian tourist
resort comprises a single
hotel on its own island,
which is roughly 800m x
200m and some two metres
or so above the sea. Most
are encircled by their own
‘house reef’, presenting
guests with protected
swimming and a natural
aquarium for diving and
snorkelling. Many do not
have a local population,
other than their workforces
and guests.
Fushifaru Maldives
On the north-eastern island
of the Lhaviyani Atoll is the
Fushifaru Maldives, recently
opened in November 2017.
This resort is on an island
between two channels
connecting the atoll’s inner
lagoon to the open sea.
Diamonds Hotels & Resorts
Thompsons Holidays is
a preferred partner for
Diamonds Athuruga and
Diamonds Thudufushi.
The all-inclusive luxury
properties offer elegant
beach bungalows and water
villas.
Lux* South Ari Atoll
Here 193 private villas
perched on stilts are
located at the edge of a
lagoon along two miles of
powder-fine beaches.
A current package, valid
from February 1-April 14 and
priced from R66 485pps,
includes return economy
flights ex-JNB on Emirates,
approx. airport taxes, return
airport transfers, seven
nights’ accommodation
on half board, free WiFi
and use of snorkelling
equipment. The resort
has a resident marine
biologist and a whale shark
sanctuary on the property
where guests can take a
swim, as well as a range of
dining opportunities.
Club Med Kani
In true Club Med fashion,
this resort packs in a
long list of water and land
sports, daily shows and
parties, beach dinners,
karaoke, board games,
cooking demonstrations
and a coral rebuilding
programme.
Glass-bottom boats, scenic
flights, parasailing and tours
of the capital city, Malé,
are just some of the other
activities on offer.
Club Med’s second
Maldivian resort is the
Finolhu Villas, part of its
Exclusive Collection. It is
on the island of Gasfinolhu
and is an ecologically
conscious, all-inclusive highend
facility
