Solo Travel in Maldives

A solo traveler is a new trend that is gaining so much trend is the current age.

Is Solo traveling for anyone? Yes, it is, all free spirits seeking a true nomad experience.

Is Maldives Ideal for Solo travel?
 YES, big YES!

Bedding is the Maldives is mainly a King bed to stretch yourself out like royalty when you sleep.

Dining in the Maldives is an experience on its own. Destination dining experiences, underwater restaurant, and unique foodgasm tasting in restaurants such as Tribal as Niyama is must do in the Maldives. The Maldives is often visited by Michelin chefs which a royal treat for your taste buds.

Bucket list ticks off is something which you can always do, catch the waves and surf, swim with whale sharks, stay in a treetop villa, watch the night sky in your bubble accommodation, be pampered in an underwater spa… is this enticing you yet?

Maldives resorts, and one of the highest privacy destinations in the world where each resort is an island on its own where solitude is the main selling point as a destination.

The Maldives is a no timetable destination empowering you to be in charge of your own schedule.

When it comes to yoga, meditation, relaxation, and rejuvenation Maldives is a top global destination actively promoting wellness tourism and equipped with highly skilled professionals.

Come to the Maldives to unwind, read by the beach, to take the most instagrammable pictures, to just free your mind and recharge yourself to get back to the busy race of the world.

This is why the Maldives is ideal for Solo travel.

Cheers!

LISWITH

TWIN Bedding in the Maldives

Maldives is infamously known for its KING bedding, twin bedding policy is rarely known in the Maldives.

However, most resorts shall provide an extra bed chargeable or FOC upon request.

JA Manafaru:

Kindly be advised that we do not have TWIN rooms at the resort, only King Size Beds, however, we can place an extra bed if required.

Royal Island Resort & Spa:

Kindly note that special requests like twin rooms are subjected to availability as we do not guarantee in advance.

While sending the booking kindly mentioned the request and we will try our best to allocate a twin bedroom.

OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli:

Please be informed that we are unable to offer twin beds as all our villas are equipped with king-size beds.

However, if the guest wishes to have two separate beds, we will convert the day bed as an extra bed inside the villa accordingly.

Baros Maldives:

Please note that all our villas are featured with a king-size bed. For the additional person, a roll-away bed will be arranged. Triple occupancy is the maximum in all our villas.

Paradise Island Resort & Spa:

Regret advice you that we are unable to guarantee twin bedrooms in advance.

Cheval Blanc Randheli:

All our One Bedroom category comes with a king-size bed only. We can arrange an extra bed in the living room if there is any twin bedding request.

W Maldives:

Please note at W Maldives twin-bedded rooms are very limited and can be confirmed only subject to room availability upon arrival.

Having said the above, should the guest wish to be accommodated in the twin-bedded room, we can always place an extra rollaway bed for the second person travelling as an alternative.

The Siyam Iru Fushi:

The villa is equipped with 1 king-size bed + sofa bed in all our villas. And upon request, we provide a Roller way bed.

Sun Island Resort & Spa:

We have normal twin beds available. Incase normal twin beds are fully booked, we can provide an extra bed with an existing double bedroom.

Note we can only provide twin beds in a standard beach bungalow, superior beach bungalow, and water bungalow.

Fushifaru Maldives:

Unfortunately, we do not have twin bedding available in the resort. However, we do provide a sofa bed in the villa apart from the King size bed.

Constance Halaveli:

Please note that all of our water villas and beach villas are equipped with a king-size bed, therefore, we are unable to confirm the booking with twin beds.

However, if guests requested twin beds, we will arrange a German bed set up which is two separate blankets on the same bed base.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru:

Please be informed that we do not have Twin bed facilities here at Banyan Tree. Our villas are equipped with a king-size bed and a sofa bed. However, if the guests request for an extra bed, we can provide. This will be subject to availability of course.

Jumeirah Vittaveli:

Please know that all our villas are double rooms equipped with king-sized beds. In case guests are requesting twin bedding, we can provide a single extra bed.

Atmosphere Kanifushi:

Option 1: Extra Bed to be placed in 1 Bedroom

Option 2: Family Beach Villa (combination of 2 Sunset Beach Villa, interconnecting villa; configuration 1 King Size connecting 1 twin beds

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon:

We cannot guarantee twin beds as have kings size double beds in all rooms, however, an extra bed can be provided on request.

Adaaran Club Rannalhi:

We unable to confirm 100% Twin bedding in advance further will try our best to allocate the TWIN rooms on request.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives:

All the rooms are King bedded, however, we have a Sofa cum bed placed in all of our rooms along with a Master bed. Also, we have a room category Luxury Beach Front Pool Villa 2 bedroom, in which we have a Master Bedroom and a Twin Bedroom.

Holiday Inn Kandooma:

We only can put a note in the system regarding the bed preference however it will be offer subject to availability upon arrival.

Six Senses Laamu:

Kindly note that we can provide twin beddings in all our villa categories.

Cinnamon Dhonveli:

Please note that we do not have twin bed facilities at Dhonveli, therefore we can only provide an extra bed in each category.

Adaaran Prestige Vadoo:

Certainly we can arrange, however, we need the request for us to arrange it.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives:

We would like to inform you that unfortunately, we don’t have villas with twin beds, except for two-bedroom beach villas, where the second bedroom has two twin beds.

ROBINSON Club Maldives:

Please note that we can arrange the twin beds on your request, subject to availability upon check-in.

Velaa Private Island:

Please feel free to update remarks for twin bedding at the time of booking confirmation and we will offer twin bedding regardless of the nationality of the client.

Lily Beach Maldives:

Twin bed is available only on our beach family villa. So we cannot guarantee it one day before arrival.

LUX* North Male Atoll Resort & Villas:

Please note that we don’t have TWIN bedding in 1-Bedroom villas, but we can arrange an extra bed.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives:

Kindly note Twin Bed villas will be given subject to availability only.

Cinnamon Hakura Huraa Maldives:

Please note that all our rooms have standard king size beds, however, we will provide an extra bed upon request.

Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi:

Please note that all our Villas are with king-size bed, however, we can provide extra beds on a complimentary basis.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa:

Pleased to inform that we can provide a twin bedroom if you are to book Deluxe or Beachfront Deluxe room, as this is the 2 categories where we have twin beds.

Kanuhura Maldives:

Note that all our 01 bedrooms are equipped with a king-size bed.

Options for twin set up is as below;

King bed + extra bed

German bed set up

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives:

Please note that we will unfortunately not be able to confirm Twin Bedded rooms in advance as it is always subject to availability due to the number of limited rooms with twin beds. Alternatively, if there are no twin beds available, we can arrange a King Bed with an Extra Bed or a German Bed setup (2 separate duvets on the King Bed mattress).

Constance Moofushi:

Kindly note that we do not have twin beds in any of our villas, however, German bed set up can be organized only with bed linen and pillows separately i.e. one king bed size with separate linen.

Gili Lankanfushi Island:

Please note that twin bedding is indeed subject to availability however if we are unable to confirm it we will arrange an extra rollaway bed.

If a booking is being sent for guests that require this specific request please note it and we will try our level best to arrange a room with twin bedding options.

Angsana Velavaru Maldives:

Kindly be noted that we can place only an extra bed since we don’t have twin bedded villas.

Kurumba Maldives:

Regret to inform you that we are unable to guarantee twin rooms for Kurumba. However, we can provide an extra bed in the room.

Velassaru Maldives:

We do not have twin accommodation in Velassaru. However, we can provide an extra bed in the room.

This is a short collection of information which might be helpful.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Drone Policy - Maldives Resorts

Drones are the trendy photography equipment among most travelers. A drone in the Maldives would be perfect in capturing its beauty.

In the Maldives out of respect for all guests’ solitude, privacy and safety, 99% of resorts have designated their island a No-Drone fly zone. Therefore refrain from flying drones anywhere on most islands in the Maldives.
Resorts with the exceptions, mostly have designated areas where it can be used.
This is not the complete list but a few resorts that have been gathered.

Adaaran Club Rannalhi: We do allow using drones at our Resort except for the water villa area.

Six Senses Laamu: For guests wishing to fly a drone, they can rent the picnic island, a deserted island located 40 minutes speedboat ride from the resort, and fly their drones there.

Ayada Maldives: We are allowed the guest to fly a drone in public area due to privacy policy, guest can fly the drone in Magu Main Restaurant beach area and Zero Degree beach. In any other area is prohibited.

Four Seasons Maldives: Drones can only be used on the beach far away from all the accommodation, escorted by our security team.

Taj Exotica Maldives: Guest may bring the drone, however, it can fly the drone at 24-degree restaurant beach-side.

Angsana Velavaru

Fairmont Sirru Fen Fushi: Out of safety concerns and in respect to the overall individual privacy of our guests, Fairmont Maldives prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems, or drones in the resort - including recreational users and hobbyists - without the prior written authorization from the Marketing & Communications Department of the resort.                                                                

I hope the above was insightful.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Kosher Meals – Maldives Resorts

Kosher meal is a specific meal requirement according to Jewish Dietary Laws.

Can this be found in the Maldives? If yes where?

Below are some of the resorts we have asked and collected information from where Kosher meals are available.

We would instruct guests to inform us at least 4 weeks before their arrival so the resort can prepare the same.

Even though resorts shall make their best to provide the dietary requirements within the cost of the package, kindly be aware that extra charges might incur as this is a special requirement.

• Sun Island Resort & Spa
• Bandos Maldives
• Baros
• Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort
• Velaa Private Island Maldives         
• JA Manafaru
• W Maldives
• Robinson Club Maldives
• Adaaran Select Meedhuparu
• Adaaran Prestige Water Villas
• Ayada Maldives
• Centara Island Grand Kosher Meal can be provided especially on guest requests but limited to reef restaurants only. Basically, In-case of kosher meal, all other restaurants' option will be closed except Reef restaurant due to private chef will have to be designated for this special request.
• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
• Cheval Blanc Randheli
• Huvafenfushi: 15 days prior needed
• Sheraton: Kosher meals at additional cost but we would need to be updated more than a month in advance as it would need to be organized.
• Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
• One & Only Reethi Rah: please note that we do cater kosher foods also at the resort however we do not keep a large stock of kosher meat at the resort and are ordered upon request. If you would like to arrange kosher items, we recommend to advise us at least 04 weeks before arrival as all the kosher products are imported from abroad as it's not available locally.
• Four Seasons Maldives  
• Six Senses Laamu 
• COMO Maalifushi
• Taj Exotica Maldives: We can arrange the Kosher Meal if we get advance orders per day/per meal/ per portion-wise in 20 days advance.
• Kurumba Maldives
• Angsana Velavaru
• Jumeirah Vittaveli Maldives
• Lily Beach Maldives

I hope the above was insightful.

Cheers!

LISWITH             

Sri Lanka Tourism currently

Sri Lanka is getting back on his feet and with a great kickback. Sri Lanka finished handling 25,000 tourists in a small populated area without a hitch. Sri Lanka tourism trade a big pat on your back for pulling this off, if you didn’t make money during this event please rethink your strategy.

 Currently, all the talk by the entire trade is we do not have anything for the next couple of months seems bleak till next year February.

Now I am going to say some things that might make you think, or might just angry you.

Let’s talk stats after India, all other countries that perform for Sri Lanka tourism are the European countries.

The booking pattern of European countries is usually 06 months to 01 year prior. Now talking in consideration factor of time, yes most likely arrival base shall be between December to February when the stats pick up.

Remember till then the booking cycle will continue they shall book, pay deposits, and make payment.

Sri Lanka as a trade pays special attention to the European markets which are key performers for the country, which is totally justifiable.

Now let’s talk about the upcoming months, what do we do? Asian markets and Middle Eastern markets they book and travel last minute. This is the time we develop these markets to extend products tailored to them. Time we invest in other markets that close the gap bridge the deficit we have in the stats.

Time we break the pattern, think more of the business end. There are more markets we are not tapping and giving the attention much needed.

Hope this made you think.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Entering a New Market

Observing over many years how the trade explores and neglects markets is a very interesting phenomenon.

Most enter the market because:

• The tourism ministry says so
• Because they get to travel
• Impressed by another word of mouth – Wow that market you know
• Because everyone else is in the market
• The event is too big like ATM, WTM or ITB

How can one enter the market?

• Stay nights
• What meal plans they need
• Do they have special requirements always: Twin beds, Jain food or Kosher meals
• Has the market penetration become too much, the one market is taking 10 quotes for one requisition and you do business for USD 1 this too without the volume.
• Does the market have more vendors in their own country selling this product where it is more easily accessible to them?
• Is the banking system of the country is less complicated.
• What is the margin that is possible?
• Do we need to teach and nurture the product?
• Do you get be concrete of the product?
• Educate the market highly on your product provide them the tools to sell, most people do not sell your product because they do not have the confidence to.
• Is your team equipped for the market? If no now we educate the team to handle the market.

Please never explore a market without research, not because it sounds fancy, not because everyone is doing it and so should I, and not because someone else just told. Research, Plan and then execute.

If you are doing it mainly for the PR, we too are doing it make sure you do that right too.

Next time when entering a market don’t make it feel like impulsive shopping, but a researched product.

I might be wrong, you might strongly disagree but I am glad I made you think.

Cheers!

LISWITH

B2B meetings at trade fairs

Every travel company is about attending IFTM, ATM, ITB, and WTM. Why does one participate in such events? To obviously increase your current business and meet your existing partners. This a networking platform for the travel trade.

What do we usually talk about to new prospective agents that we are planning working with:

• What size of business we are?
• How are mark up is lesser than the competition
• We have added new itineraries.
• We have new products.
• We have a multicultural team.
• We are pioneers in the trade.
• We work with big agents such as.

These are necessary to a point, but don’t we all say this we are the best among our competition, we are THE company to work with.

Think of this as a blind date, would you rather overly speak about you on your date? Or ask questions, get to know the person. No one on a date like to hear how great you are, they like the getting to know phase.

Next time ask the agent/client:

• What are the challenges they face when selling your destination/ product?
• What is the problem their current or previous partner is not solving for them?
• What are the major expectations they have if they are signing on with you?
• What are the issues they are facing with their competition when selling your destination/ product?

The only reason the client will ever consider you is if your goals align with theirs, not how big your company.

Try this approach let me know, how your response would be.

Bye for now.

LISWITH

FOCUS

Focus, something we all struggle within the day to day life may it be for your personal life or professional. Life coaches and YouTube state that 21 days kick the habit, create a habit works. It does work trust me.

To be focused the simplest way is surrounding yourself with humans who can focus, my entire career all I met are humans that over-focused; may it be my personal life or professional. If your environment is surrounded with people who are constantly distracted then it would be rather hard to work to that cycle of 21 days.

Don’t get me wrong even in the wrong environment one can achieve it. When one is human it's hard to create a habit when the environment proves you otherwise because all of us are not made the same, unless you’re plain stubborn.

Think about the first 21 days they say is crucial, along with your will power create the environment that helps you so too.

Have a beautiful day ahead!

LISWITH

Team Building and Incentive Travel to the Maldives

Something not fully explored in the Maldives is Incentives. Yes, Maldives resort is very much delighted in accepting groups and incentive tours. Most incentives shall be with Gala theme dinner by the beach, some resorts with conference halls for meetings, and especially DJ nights for the group.

A not fully explored option is team building. This is a personal view but if resort that accommodates large groups and pushes on incentives, if they hire an individual very talented at team building exercises would be a plus point.

Most agents and groups always ask if resorts have such programs. 

Simple team building exercises:

• Water balloon toss
• Scavenger hunt
• Potluck
• Human knot
• Blind retriever
• Active listener
• Group timeline
• Finally to end it with the Gala themed dinner and DJ night

I truly think this is something resorts in the Maldives should explore and have an in-house team member able to do team building exercises.

If you are reading this, hopefully, this ponders in your mind.

Cheers!

LISWITH

HR department - human-resources department

A great man told me:

HR is a team of two.

The head of the department is the future setter, the one that assists employees not only full fill their career goals but aligns it to the personal goals that the employee is trying to reach too.

The second team member is the one in charge of HR accounting, the casual leaves, the annual leave, the cutting of salaries if late continuously or for absent days.

The first is head of the department, second is the disciplinarian. Never should the disciplinarian be in charge as humans are often corrupted been the one with power, the one that sets the future vision for the employee to survive, thrive and grow within the company environment should be the head of the house.

When it comes to interviews or call back to potential recruits HR department should be more humane less automated. People should be excited to come for an interview or to research your company and join you, it should never be just another interview.

Sadly most HRs are either too lenient towards employees or become the hangman of employees taking the executions given by the management of firing or just deducting of salaries.

Management which kind of HR department are you seeking? HR what kind of team member are you planning of being?

Last but not least feed oneself with interesting mind awakening discussions.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Sancharaka Udawa 2019, and what more we can do – Destination Marketing

Well, it was a new learning curve this specific event.

This tourism fair in Sri Lanka was an alert to the world that Sri Lanka is back, up and running. The event was great for me meeting of business partners and discussing the next steps and how I could help them.

Inbound operators, Hoteliers and excursion holders showcased themselves and the products they specialize in. Productivity wise it was a great event.

Things to improve next time as I see, which would be more beneficial to inbound operators and hoteliers:

• Small and Medium business owners should be given a discount to showcase their products.
• There should be new boutique hotels, and even hostels showcased.
• New excursions, new ideas for incentives, MICE and event show be shown.
• Railway Department a key factor as to why tourism in Sri Lanka exists should showcase. Why go to Ella other than the trains. Operators would gain more knowledge and a better understanding.
• Marketing was very dull for this event, most agents and hotels were unaware of the event.
• Tourist Board should have sent a circular to everyone registered with them to participate.
• Sri Lankan embassies in other countries should have been informed by tourist board so International agents too can participate.
• Roads should have been lit up and jazzed up a week prior setting the mood for the event.
• More social media awareness should have been created.
• A celebrity should have been named the Ambassador for Tourism and showcased with International Media.
• During the events, Sri Lankan cultural entertainment should have been presented much more.

Last but not least, operators and hoteliers do not be discouraged. The markets which perform as a majority book 06 - 08 months prior hence arrival basis June, July shall be slow but bookings shall flow in confirmations will come through. Utilize last-minute traveler markets, like Asia to bring in for the coming months.

The bookings that were canceled reach out to all your partners, and encourage them to rebook them with you.

We have to support ourselves, do more marketing to the world, more out of the box ideas to push any destination we sell.

These are my thoughts. Did you participate? What do you think?

Cheers!

LISWITH

Destination Specialist, kind of questions

Hi,

Been a while since I last wrote. Well, this time I am going to discuss the importance of asking a client need in tourism. Most people never question clients, they assume it is offensive. Not only asking if the date of travel and which country is enough.

You are sales and destination specialist:
 1.    Ask what interest they have
2.    What meal plan they would like to stay on
3.    Ask the budget they have for their trip

These are not offensive questions, if not you end up sending some standard packages and clearing the email for sake of clearing the email.

Without asking these questions, you quote blindly. Do you find it attractive if some you request sends some quote or they ask what your needs, wants are and how much you have as a budget? When you receive this email it contains things you are interested in and almost with the budget you are seeking now that is attractive.

Please stop finding offense in things that make your job better, and make you more efficient as a destination specialist and a salesperson.

Try asking those questions and you can see how much more attractive you are towards your clients. They would be enthusiastic to reply to your emails, pick your calls and confirm their holiday just with you.

Take simple steps that make you more effective without the spending of a cent.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Are Maldives Resorts disability accessible?

Please note Maldives islands are not designed for clients with reduced mobility but they do accommodate them and any requirement in prior so they will accommodate accordingly.

Nevertheless, they did have cases where people in a wheelchair came to resorts and they were able to arrange things accordingly.

However, these guests had either a person accompanying them or were able to walk a little bit, which made it easier, as especially some spaces like restaurants, bathrooms and getting around and island are mainly sand would be tricky. Some resorts have buggy so it would be easier to move around the island, and some do have wheelchairs on the island too.

Below are some exemptions to the rule:  

LATEST Addition : Amilla Maldives to become world’s first accessibility and inclusion certified resort

https://maldives.net.mv/51409/amilla-maldives-to-become-worlds-first-accessibility-and-inclusion-certified-resort/

Wheel Chair accessible  / YES
Hurawalhi	Villa and Public Areas
Sun Aqua Vilu Reef	Wheel Chair accessible
Paradise Island Resort & Spa	Guests can use wheelchair in the resort except beach area
Shangri -La's Vilingili	One of the beach villas (Two Bedroom Villa) nearest to the main facilities is designed to be wheelchair accessible villa. This villa is equipped with full facilities for guests with limited mobility allowing even wheelchair users unrestricted movement around them. A ramp, an Easy-access doors, fixtures and fittings in the rooms, bathrooms and toilets in a layout and height enabling easy operation and movement.
Coco Collection Resorts	All of their resorts are wheelchair friendly
HIH	Wheel Chair accessible
JA Manafaru	They can provide the ramps to have the access to the restaurants, except of the White Orchid and the Water Villas
Four Seasons Resorts Maldives	They do have Wheel Chair accessibility at both properties. They can arrange a ramp in the Villa as well as arrange Beach Wheel Chair as well.
Baros	Yes possible
St Regis	The Overwater Villas would be more wheelchair friendly than Beach Villas as there is not sandy path/walkway here.
Sun Island Resort	Wheel Chair accessible
Lily Beach	Wheel Chair accessible
Hideaway Beach	Wheel Chair accessible
Sheraton	Wheel Chair accessible
Westin Maldives	Wheelchair Friendly Hotel Villa 147 is equipped for wheelchair movements Public washrooms equipped for wheelchair movements Arrival jetty equipped for wheelchair movements
Angsana Velavaru	Island is wheelchair accessible and friendly. For the villas and outlets, if required they will be installing ramps.
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi	The resort is wheel chair friendly as do have disabled-friendly villas in the island and they can provide ramp builds with enough slope to slide wheelchair in and out the villa, our I-spas (bathtub) in the villas also have a hand shower. On the other hand, once the booking has been confirmed, they will need more details of their condition so they can prepare in advance the necessary adjustments to make their stay more comfortable. Also note that they have a limited stock of wheelchair in the island so they will need to be informed in advance so we can arrange the wheelchair (beach type).
LUX North Male	There are certain areas that is difficult for wheelchair accessibility, they would require to be informed in advance for us to prepare the ramps & railings but please note that certain areas would still not be wheelchair friendly.

Cheers!

LISWITH