GermanTauchen Award 2013 Won by Maldivian Resort, Bathalaa Island Resort

AAA Company’s Bathalaa IslandResort has won the Tauchen award 2013. Tauchen award is an award given in Germany to the dive centers across the globe.

Bathalaa Island won this award in the India and Pacific regions category. AAA’s official stated that it was a huge achievement won by their resort, Bathalaa Island Resort. “This award is the most popular and the most superior award given by Germany to the Dive centers. As so this award would bring lot of benefits to the resort”.

Recognized as a diving center globally, Bathalaa Island Resort has the oldest diving center in Maldives.

According to the official, most of the guests who go to Bathalaa Island Resort are from Europe. “Up about 90% tourists are Europeans. Out of which 40% of them come from Germany. Due this, Tauchen Award would advertise the resort more within Germany and as well as across the Globe” Official stated.

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Increasing bed capacity will boost tourist arrivals in Maldives: MU Manik

One of the Directors of Universal group, Mohamed Umar Manik has said that the most important step for Maldives is to increase the bed capacity of resorts in order to boost the amount of tourists visiting the country.

Taking to Haveeru recently, MU Manik said the bed capacity has to be increased if the Maldives wants to increase the amount of tourists. 

“Tourism of Maldives will grow as much as we allow the increase of beds. About two or three percent growth is observed. Hence if that growth cannot be attained, it is a loss for us. Beds should increase with the amount of visitors. It is a must. Developing the resorts already planned is the most important thing we can do for now,” MU Manik said.

Tourism Ministry statistics show that there are more than 50 resorts still under development. Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb had previously stated that he is working towards securing funds to develop the resorts. 

MU Manik said that the reason for the delay in the development of the resorts were due to the financial drawbacks.

“I have heard that the biggest drawback is the finance. This is something which needs some amount of growth,” MU Manik said.

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Tourism Ministry has allocated a USD12 million budget to market Maldivian tourism for the year 2013.

A prominent official of the Ministry explained that as more resorts and airports are to be opened in year 2013, in addition to new airlines travelling to the Maldives, more marketing is required.

“In 2013 Maldives must be advertised in additional markets. Decision has also been made to promote Maldives in up and coming markets. A lot of effort has to be put in to promote Maldives especially in Europe. So a sufficient budget is needed for 2013 to do all this,” official detailed.

According to the official, USD4.5 million is available for Maldivian tourism promotion within the budget allocated by the government. Official added that the budget was quite small when considering the circumstances at present.

“Industry requested to increase the budget to USD8 million. But the government at the time decided to give USD4.5 million. In 2012 we worked to market Maldives with the assistance of various parties of the industry,” Tourism Ministry official said.

Official also emphasized the importance of creating new documentaries about the Maldives and use major international media to promote luxury tourism in Maldives.

“There are a lot of new initiatives being introduced in the Maldives. Extensive promotion of underwater restaurants and big game fishing is needed. As the documentaries being used are outdated, we need to produce fresh documentaries. We have also decided to participate in more fairs and do a lot more to promote Maldives,” official stated.

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