AS MORE AND MORE ARAB TRAVELLERS HEAD TO THE INDIAN OCEAN DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS AND RELAXATION.

According to Mohamed Adam, deputy managing director, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation, the destination welcomed 20,434 tourists from the Middle East between January and May, registering a 22.6 percent growth over the same period in 2015.

Saudi Arabia posted the highest number of arrivals from the region, representing 8,846 visitors of the total, constituting over 43 percent of all entrants from the area.

Indeed, Dinesh Bhaskar, group director, sales and marketing, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, noted that Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, contribute the main chunk of Middle Eastern arrivals at the all-inclusive five-star Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives resort, which welcomed some 1,400 customers from the region in the first half of the year, up from 1,280 holiday-makers during the same timeframe in 2015.

“The Middle Eastern market is a very reliable market for W Maldives,” stated Anna Karas, marketing communications manager, W Maldives.

“Due to the economic stability of the region, we see a stable and strong travelling tendency to the Maldives, [with the country] being considered a luxurious hideaway destination, which is what our Arabic guests are looking for at the moment.”

Referring to the latest Maldives Visitor Survey, Adam noted that 35 percent of travellers spend their holiday in the Maldives for rest and relaxation.

“Spa and wellness play an important role for guests looking forward to rest and [relax]. A good session at a wellness centre can refresh [the] mind and body,” Adam added.

Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation has been pro-active in its pursuit of luring Middle Eastern tourists from niche segments, including spa and wellness enthusiasts.

“We invite them to explore the spiritual side of life [in the] Maldives,” enthused Adam.