30 November 2021 – With recent holiday research data* revealing that UK Travellers spend the most on holidays compared to other European nations, and stay away for longest on those holidays – an average of ten days – it’s no surprise that the Maldives is a top long-haul destination on many 2022 travel bucket lists.
To help inspire holidaymakers plan their trip to this Indian Ocean paradise, Upul Gedarakumbura, General Manager at Aitken Spence Hotel’s premium all-inclusive five-star Heritance Aarah, shares his ten reasons why the Maldives should be at the top of everyone’s travel list in 2022.
Here are GM Upul Gedarakumbura’s top ten reasons to visit the Maldives in 2022:
- The Maldives is a pandemic safe haven – Thanks to its natural geography and one-island-one-resort offering, the Maldives is an ideal holiday destination for those seeking an escape during this pandemic-era of travel. Without compromising on luxury, meticulous safety measures are in place across the Maldives, from pre-arrival testing to thorough sanitisation. Find out more about the safety measures at Aitken Spence’s hotels here.
- Relax in seclusion… – The Maldives is an island nation of some nearly 1200 islands. Resorts are located on about 120 of these islands, which means that there are a wealth of secluded beaches and getaways for all guests to our wonderful islands to enjoy.
- … or Get active outdoors – The Maldives is a real gem for thrill seekers looking to catch their next wave when surfing, jet ski across the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean, or try their hand at catamaran sailing and fly boarding. All are on offer at Heritance Aarah. Heritance Aarah is also well-known for its underwater diving treasures due to its close proximity to some of the most stunning underwater caves (thilas) in the Maldives.
- Seaplane travel – Ever wondered what it is like to fly in a plane that lands on water? The Maldives is THE place to travel by seaplane direct to your resort and the views certainly won’t disappoint!
- Magical marine life – Where else can you get close to manta rays, bottlenose dolphins and whale sharks, and is teeming with turtles and tropical fish? Our resort is located in one of the most pristine atolls, though the whole of the Maldives is rich in nature’s treasures.
- Taste cuisines from around the world – The Maldives is famed for its quality gourmet cuisine by globally acclaimed chefs. For instance, at Aitken Spence’s resorts, premium offerings include dishes from the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Mediterranean and east-meets-west fusion flavours prepared by Culinary Olympic winning chefs. Heritance Aarah has a wealth of dining options with seven restaurants and five bars, all located within the resort – from fine-dining to street food to exotic flavours!
- Maldivian culture – There is so much more to the Maldives than luxurious experiences, which is why many of the best resorts in the Maldives are increasingly passionate about connecting guests with Maldivian culture. For example, at Heritance Aarah, the Maldives Village seeks to create awareness and educate guests of the incredible past and its varied influence in the modern Maldives lifestyle. The Village experience shares elements of a typical Maldivian household, an outdoor school area, ‘joali’ traditional furniture, and coral stone carpentry. The Village also features local handicraft industries such as local jewellery making, mat weaving and embroidery.
- Maldives spas are world class – Spa treatments in overwater treatment rooms are a true delight in the Maldives. Feel stress just melt away at one of the six treatment rooms at the Medi Spa at Heritance Aarah, all set above tranquil lagoon waters.
- Romance comes in all styles here – Dreamy white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, private villas, and secluded sand bank picnics – it’s no wonder the Maldives is the world’s leading destination for honeymoons!
- Marvel at the sensational sunsets – After a day in paradise, set sail in the Indian Ocean waters to marvel at the sunset and experience the beauty of the Maldives’ stillness and silence aboard your own private sunset cruise, or lap up the luxury of the destination whilst sipping cocktails at Heritance Aarah’s stunning infinity pool.
For more information about Aitken Spence Hotels, visit www.aitkenspencehotels.com.
ENDS
Notes To Editors:
* KAYAK European Travel Habits Research, November 2021 – 2021 Breakdown: European Travel Habits (kayak.co.uk)
Image 1: Seclusion is guaranteed in the Maldives: Dine in private pods at Heritance Aarah’s Ginifati beach grill
Image 2: Be wowed by the Maldives’ underwater wildlife when diving with whale sharks. Photo Credit Leonardo Lamas from Pexels
Image 3: Discover world-class water sports and snorkelling sites in the Maldives – here, at Adaaran Club Rannalhi
For high-resolution images, click here.
About Aitken Spence Hotels
Aitken Spence Hotels is part of the Sri Lankan blue-chip conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC and operates 23 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka, Maldives, Oman and India. The Company’s owned hotels are reflected under the Heritance, Adaaran and Turyaa brands, popular around the world for its exceptional service and undisputed product and curated lifestyle experiences. The Company’s Sri Lankan portfolio includes 11 resorts spread across the island, whilst the Maldives resorts totals to six, four in Oman and one in India.
Media Enquiries
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