The Rania Experience in the Maldives has launched a private wedding package for lovers to renew vows, honeymoon or celebrate a wedding anniversary. The exclusive castaway retreat on a private island in the Maldives even comes with with its own luxury yacht.

Grooms start the day diving or fishing, followed by a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure before being escorted to the blessing at a beach pavilion or aboard ‘The Rania’ yacht to the sound of local Maldivian drums.

Brides enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before being whisked away to the spa for a full day of pampering with beauty treatments and styling.

The simple and elegant ceremony takes place just before sunset over the Indian Ocean, performed by an Island Senior in the local Dhivehi language – with a transcription presented in English along with the Blessing Certificate.

Following the exchange of rings, cutting of the Blessing Cake and photos taken by a private butler, couples board a private yacht for a sunset cruise with Dom Perignon Champagne and canapés.

On returning to the island, a candlelit five-course dinner is served on the beach or other island venue – with the option of a bed on the beach to sleep under the stars.

Offering unlimited gourmet dining, drinking and spa treatments, along with yoga, fishing or diving on demand, The Rania Experience was this year hailed by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the world’s most “scene-stealing” new hotels and resorts, “raising pampering to a new level”.

The “ultimate romantic getaway” on Faafu Atoll is a picture postcard paradise of white sands and turquoise blue waters 35-minutes by seaplane from Malé International Airport.

Guests can enjoy private use of ‘The Rania’, a luxury 86ft yacht with indoor and outdoor lounges and dining areas, Jacuzzi, air-conditioning and a full entertainment system including home-theatre.

Designed with barefoot luxury in mind, the island encompasses the lavish air-conditioned three bedroom Rania Suite overlooking a plunge pool and a stones throw away are three individual beach villas with thatched roofs and traditional Maldivian open-air style bathrooms.

Guests can enjoy unlimited pampering at The Rania Spa, offering Ayurvedic and other specialized treatments. Massages and treatments can be taken anywhere, from the beach at sunset to the privacy of their villa or aboard the yacht at the time preferred by the guests.

Gourmet dining is cooked and served anytime and anywhere, either on the island or aboard ‘The Rania’.

Blessed with some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets, a variety of cultural shows can also be arranged on request and at an additional charge, from a lively traditional Bodu Beru (local drums) dance to a laid-back local Maldivian band.

Additional amenities on the island include a small personal gym, state of the art karaoke system, billiards, beach volleyball and Badminton, satellite TV, a selection of films and a host of board games.

The ‘Rania Experience’ is limited to just one exclusive booking at any one time.

The ‘Wedding Blessing’ package price of US$ 1,100 per couple is in addition to the Island Rental Rate and Inclusive of 10% service charge which is paid directly to staff. Couples holding their Blessing Ceremony on the island are also offered a first year anniversary discount of 15%.

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The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa has launched a choice of two special offers at this stunning island resort. Until 30 September 2007, guests can enjoy one free night’s stay when staying for six consecutive nights. What’s more, guests who stay on the weekend will enjoy a complimentary upgrade on a meal plan.

Carsten Schieck, General Manager of the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa said, “Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa is a beautiful and tranquil island resort, surrounded by glorious natural beauty. We are delighted to provide our guests the opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy our slice of paradise for longer for less!”

Offer 1: Stay 7 Nights Pay for 6: This offer is valid for Beach Villas, Deluxe Beach Villas, Water Villas, Superior Water Villas, Deluxe Water Villas, and includes: Daily breakfast either in-room or at Atoll Market, Mandhoo or Vilu Restaurant • Complimentary sunset cruise on Rangali Raani yacht • Bottle of champagne and deluxe fruit basket upon arrival.

Hilton HHonors Members can also benefit from double HHonors Base points and double miles with participating airlines. The offer is subject to availability and only valid for stays between before 30 September 2007. Lunch, dinner and seaplane transfers are not included.

Offer 2: Weekend Upgrade: Stay at Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa between Thursdays and Mondays and receive a complimentary upgrade on a meal plan: pay for accommodation and breakfast and dinner is included at no additional cost (only available in Atoll Market or Vilu Restaurant and excludes beverages.)

or

Pay for accommodation, breakfast and dinner and lunch is included at no additional cost (only available in Atoll Market or Vilu Restaurant and excludes beverages).

The offer is applicable for the following Villa categories: Beach Villas, Deluxe Beach Villas, Water Villas, Superior Water Villas, Deluxe Water Villas. The offer is only valid for stays between Thursdays and Mondays, is subject to availability and only applicable for stays between 2 before 30 September 2007. Seaplane transfers costs are not included.

The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa is located in a picturesque corner of the Maldives and offers three luxurious resort experiences spread across two private islands among miles of idyllic white-sand beach and unspoilt coral reef.

Since its opening in 1998, and subsequent US$35 million refurbishment in 2005, Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa has been a regular winner of many awards and accolades including “Best Hotel in the World” in 2005 by the Sunday Times Travel Magazine; “Most Exclusive Hotel in the World 2006” by VIP Traveller Magazine; and “Best Luxury Hotel in the World” in 2007 by Trip Advisor.

Leela Group’s overseas alliance with Kempinski is set jointly manage luxury projects in Maldives and Mauritius. Leela was offered land by the governments of these two countries sometime back and has now decided to go in for project development.

“These ventures will be developed by Kempinski, and will be co-managed between us,” C P Krishnan Nair, Chairman of The Leela Palaces & Resorts, said. “We will take a final view of Leela’s exact role in the venture once the project is ready.”

The two ventures are expected to be ready for operations in two to three years. This marks Leela’s much talked about overseas foray. Earlier, Leela stated that it would opt for an alliance with Kempinski rather than making a solo foray that was discussed initially.

Jamavar, the specialty Indian restaurant at The Leela palace Kempinski, was recently featured among the world’s top dining places ranking by Forbes.

Male’, 26 June 2007; Maldives has been promoted via Phoenix Satellite Television of Hong-Kong.

A 15 second television advertisement of Maldives was aired daily during June. The advertisement was subtitled in Chinese. The main objective of this campaign is to promote Maldives in the Chinese market. Phoenix channel reaches over 42 million households, including more than 140 million viewers in mainland China.

China accounts for 4.4 percent market share of arrivals to Maldives. Maldives welcomed 26,396 visitors from China in 2006.

The tourist arrivals to the Maldives have increased by 14.9% with a total of 304,058 tourists during the period January to May 2007. For the same period in 2006 Maldives received 264,613 tourists.

Italy continues to lead the market with total 62,645 tourists capturing 20.6% share of the total arrivals to the Maldives during January to May 2007. The United Kingdom is the second generating market to the Maldives, capturing a market share of 17.5%. From January to May 2007 a total of 53,163 tourists visited the Maldives from the United Kingdom, which is an increase of 21.0% compared to the same period of 2006.

The other leading markets to the Maldives during the period of January to May 2007 include Germany with 10.8% market share, France with 8.6% market share, Japan with a market share of 4.8%, Russia with a 4.6% market share and China with 4.5% followed closely by Switzerland with a market share of 4.3%.

At end of May 2007, a total of 90 resorts and 10 hotels with a total bed capacity of 18,763 were registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Out of these, 82 resorts and 10 hotels were in operation. The average number of beds in operation in resorts and hotels for the period January to May 2007 was 17,484.

With the total bed-nights of 2,380,936, during January to May 2007, the resorts and hotels in the Maldives had an average occupancy rate of 90.4%. The average duration of stay during this period was recorded to be 8.4 days.

At end of May 2007, there were a total of 124 safari vessels registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation with a bed capacity of 1,679. The estimated average occupancy rate at live aboards during the first five months of 2007 is 70%.