8.3.2019 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 17
Destination Maldives
From exclusivity
to inclusivity
What’s new
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island,
home to the world’s first underwater
restaurant, now allows travellers to sleep
beneath the sea.
Dubbed The Muraka (which means
coral), the underwater residence stretches
over two levels and can accommodate
nine guests.
As the destination opens up to more segments,
traditional ones are not weaning. By Feizal Samath
John Jacob Astor Estate
Spanning 1,540m 2 ,The John Jacob Astor
Estate at the St Regis Maldives Vommuli
is the largest water villa in the Maldives.
The two-story villa with three
bedrooms has a cinema, a living and
dining room, spa treatment rooms, an
Olympic-sized infinity swimming pool,
a gym, a kitchen, and multiple decks.
Opening onto the terrace, the palatial
living room is distinguished by its lofty
ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
Beach Bubble tent
The Finolhu resort on Baa Atoll has un-
veiled a visually captivating Beach Bubble
A seaplane flies above a Maldivian island
A
rrivals from Germany to the
Maldives look set to keep its
growth momentum, as the
market’s traditional prefer-
ences hold steady while more
affordable accommodation options open
the destination up to new segments.
Overall, the German-speaking mar-
ket of Germany, Austria and Switzerland
have seen slow but positive growth every
year. While its growth is modest relative
to other source markets, Germany repre-
sents one of the most resilient feeders for
the Maldives.
Germany is the Maldives’ second larg-
est source market after China. Arrivals
from Germany grew by 3.5 per cent year-
on-year to reach 106,660 in the January-
November 2018 period.
It seems demand could be further stim-
ulated as the Maldives welcomes more big
hotel chains and mid-market options.
“This makes a holiday in the Maldives
affordable, especially for young couples,
(but also for) friends or young families.
The winners are the three- and four-star
hotels, while five- and six-star ones are
having a hard time,” according to Stéph-
anie Appenzeller, senior sales manager,
Europe at the The Small Maldives Island,
which has two properties in the Maldives.
Even as more affordable options open
up, some maintain that five-star accom-
modation remain popular among Ger-
mans. Thomas Meier, senior vice presi-
dent-operations Asia for Minor Hotels,
said: “Our five hotels have each seen an in-
crease in guests from these markets during
2018, especially Anantara Kihavah with an
increase of 22 per cent versus 2017, and
Anantara Veli of 55 per cent year-on-year.”
While new resort categories are appeal-
ing to Germans, Andrew Ashmore, CCO
at Coco Collection Hotels & Resorts/Sun-
land Hotels, said the German market re-
mains “very traditional, brochurised and
seek the peaceful style”.
At Coco’s Maldives resorts, which
range from affordable to five-star, Ger-
man guests have been steadily coming in,
and stay for 10 to 14 nights, the longest
among its feeder markets, Ashmore told
the Daily.
Tracy Neureuther, director, Mosaic
Tourism Consulting, said: “For Coco Col-
lection, which we represent, the German-
speaking market remains a very strong
feeder with all key tour operators (record-
ing) increasing figures.”
She added: “In general, positives speak-
ing for the increase are airlift into the des-
tination – with a good choice of direct
connections from key cities, as well as the
excellent coverage via Emirates.”
Meanwhile, Minor’s Meier pointed to
an emerging preference for half-board
accommodation among the German
market. “Luxury clients do not want full
board or all-inclusive. Half board ensures
they retain the freedom to choose while
on their holiday (while still) helping with
budget planning at the time of booking.”
This contrasts with the observations
of Howard Brohier, general manager of
Diethelm Travel Maldives, who noted a
growing popularity of resorts offering all-
inclusive meal plans, complete with dine-
around options and mini-bar inclusions.
Said Brohier: “In the past, all-inclusive
From top: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island;
Finolhu resort’s Beach Bubble tent
tent – the first of its kind in the country.
Located in a secluded spot along a beach,
the Beach Bubble is available only for one-
night experiences under the stars, from sun-
set to sunrise. The interiors feature custom-
fitted wooden floors and bespoke furnishings,
and a separate adjoining bathroom.
The Dream Eclipse experience costs
US$600++ per couple, including one night in
the Beach Bubble, a private beach barbecue,
and breakfast, by the beach.
Market trends for 2019
Suresh Dissanayake
Assistant vice president – sales & marketing,
Heritance Aarah, Adaaran Resorts
Young travellers are looking for experiences,
spend fewer nights compared to the older
generation, and prefer to combine their
holiday with another destination.
(There is reason to be optimistic in 2019)
with tourism bodies in the Maldives having
planned a series of activities, starting with
participation at ITB Berlin, in order to create
more visibility in German-speaking markets.
meal packages lacked certain inclusions
and were not offered by many five-star
properties. However, as resorts add more
value, we see the popularity of such re-
sorts growing immensely.”
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