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%.

Friday, 8th June 2007 – Maldivian Tourism Industry has achieved another milestone by having four of ADAARAN Resorts becoming the first resorts in the Maldives to achieve the prestigious ISO 22000/HACCP standard.

This achievement was announced at a gathering held at the ADAARAN Resort of Hudhuran Fushi on Friday night which was attended by Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon Dr. Mahmoodh Shaughee, Managing Director of internationally Accredited certification body SGS Mr. Claude Lanohe, Vice Chairman of ADAARAN Resorts Mr. Rajan Brito and CEO of ADAARAN Resorts, Mr. Chethya
Perera in addition to several other key distinguished people from the tourism industry.

The acclaimed ISO 22000/HACCP (Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points) standard was received byAdaaran club Rannalhi,Adaaran Select Meedhupparu , Adaaran ayurveda village and Adaaran prestige Water Villas. Such an achievement demonstrates the superior level of service of the resorts in the Maldives which is at par with international standards in rest of the world. Resorts in the Maldives often receive various international awards for their excellent service; but it’s the first time that a resort in the Maldives has received an award in relation to food safety and food quality standards. Such an award highlights the importance of delivering high quality service while taking precautions against food safety and quality control that’s equivalent to the international standards.

According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), “ISO 22000 specifies the requirements for a food safety management system in the food chain where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards in order to provide consistently safe end products that meet both the requirements agreed with the customer and those of applicable food safety regulations.”

In a country like Maldives; where resort islands are scattered all over the country; achieving such a prominent award for food and safety becomes furthermore challenging. Unlike other countries where food and supplies can be transported by land, management of resorts in the Maldives relies most often on sea transportation for such supplies required by the resort. Therefore in the Maldives, monitoring and controlling of food safety hazards takes place even while it’s being transported by sea. Hence, achieving such an award cannot be undertaken by one single person; the four resorts of ADAARAN received this award as a result of the consistent effort and hard working by all the employees of ADAARAN Resorts in all levels of hierarchy.

ADAARAN Resorts also acknowledged all the consultations provided by Nexus Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd of Sri Lanka to the four of ADAARAN Resorts in achieving this standard. Furthermore at this event, ADAARAN Resorts in its continuing pledge to social causes made a significant contribution to the local NGO, Society for Health Education (SHE). According to ADAARAN Resorts this contribution for the DNA Lab of SHE will help further improve the work of the DNA Lab and overall for SHE in helping Maldivians of all walks of life and to causes which SHE has been advocating strongly.

Earlier this year, ADAARAN Resorts inaugurated their Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Studies Campus at ADAARAN Centre for Hospitality Studies in Hudhuran Fushi which fully sponsors all the costs of students who study at their campus.

The brand identity ADAARAN represents the promise of high standards of service that is part of the rich tradition of Maldivian culture, and the aspirations of the group to reach new heights in the services they offer their discerning customers.

This significant achievement is a true testament towards our commitment towards high service standards that we deliver to the visitors who visit Maldives.

The company launched its first product in the Maldives, Bathala in 1992. Subsequently Rannalhi was inaugurated in 1996. Meedhupparu Island Resort came on board in the year 2000. In 2003, it diversified into niche market tourism by opening the only authentic Ayrveda Resort in the Maldives. The company’s latest products Water Villas & Hudhuran Fushi was unveiled in 2006.

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For press/media content or inquiries contact:
Mr. Lantra, General Manager for Marketing, Tel: (960) 332 3323, Mobile: (960) 779 4055

Assalaam Alaikum! The time-honored Maldivian greeting be it to a visitor or friend; it denotes the Islamic culture of the people and comes with a fervent wish for peace. For centuries our shores have been a haven of peace and tranquility for travelers.

Hospitality has been an inherent part of Maldivian culture and a part of island life. It has always been a land where visitors are welcomed with open arms, where people are ready to share.

Today we share our immense wealth of natural beauty and cultural diversity with the rest of the world.

Welcome to Maldives!