Maldives

Quick Facts About Maldives

Location Southwest of Sri Lanka, on the equator. - Geography 1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Stretches 820 kilometres north to south and 120 kilometres east to west. 202 are inhabited, 87 are exclusive resort islands. -

Climate Generally warm and humid. Sun shines all year through.

Average temperature around 29 - 32 degrees Celsius. -

What to wear Dress is generally casual. T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. In Male’, the capital island and other inhabited islands it is recommended that women wear modest clothing without baring too much. -

Population About 270,000 according to 1998 estimates. Origin of the Maldivians are lost in antiquity, but history reveals that the islands have been populated for over 3,000 years ago. Early settlers were travellers on the Silk Route and from the Indus Valley Civilisation. Inherently warm, friendly and hospitable by nature, it is easy to feel comfortable and relaxed with a Maldivian. -

Culture A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas in ancient times. The Maldives has been a melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the world came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for instance resemble African influences, with handbeating of drums and songs in a language that is not known to any but certainly represents that of East African countries.

As one would expect there is a great South Asian influence in some of the music and dancing and especially in the traditional food of the Maldivians. However many of the South Asian customs especially with regard to women - for instance the Sub Continent’s tradition of secluding women from public view - are not tenets of life here. In fact women play a major role in society - not surprising considering the fact men spend the whole day out at sea fishing. Many of the traditions are strongly related to the seas and the fact that life is dependent on the seas around us.

Language Dhivehi is the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood getting around the capital island. In the resorts, a variety of languages are spoken by the staff including English, German, French, Italian and Japanese. 

Economy The Maldives economy has been growing at an annual average of 10% for the past two decades. Tourism is the main industry, contributing close to 20% of the GDP. Fisheries and trade follow close behind. The Maldivian economy is regarded as exemplary in the region and welcomes foreign investment. 

Currency The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa and Laaree. The exchange rate for US Dollar at the time of writing is MRf.11.82 for the dollar. One Rufiyaa is equivalent to 100 laarees. Rufiyaa bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. Coins are in the denominations of MRf.2.00, MRf.1.00, 50 laarees, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laaree. The US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency.

Payments in the resorts and hotels can be made in most hard currency in cash, travellers’ cheques or credit cards. Commonly used credit cards are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB and Euro Card. 

Education The functional literacy rate is 98%. Educational standards are among the highest in the region and schools follow the British system of education. 

Health Health care facilities are improving almost on a daily basis. The Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’ is the biggest hospital in the country providing sophisticated medical care. ADK Hospital is the biggest private health care facility and follows high medical standards. Some resorts have in-house doctors. A decompression chamber is within easy reach of most resorts in case of a diving emergency. 

Local Time GMT + 5 hours - Business Hours From Sunday to Thursday 7.30 - 14.30 in the government sector and generally from 9.00 to 5.00 in the private sector, although most offices in the private sector open for a half day on Saturday. Weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. 

Communication Up-to-date technology and international satellite links allow Maldives to have a sophisticated communications system. IDD facilities are available on all resorts and card phones are available on all inhabited islands. Dhiraagu, the Maldives Telecommunications Company also provides mobile telephones for daily rental. It is also the Internet service provider. 

Electricity The electric system is 230-240 Volts -AC

Essence of Maldives / Sri Lanka Dmc we are very careful of first impressions, especially when it concerns the more than 1000 islands we live in.

The first thing that a traveller welcomed by Essence of Maldives will notice is our staff’s Maldivian smile. Then of course, the efficiency of service offered. We like to add value along every step of our service line. As such, we added ground-handling services to our line, which is much valued by our partners. 

As ground handling agents, we welcome each and every traveller visiting through our partner tour operators, making sure their resort transfers are on time, recheck their outward flight booking, take care of their emergency needs and any other little details that can make their dream holiday come true.

Our current services include but is not limited to:

• Meet and assist at the airport on arrival and departure
• Private and unique incentive ideas and activities in the Maldives
• Private  boat yacht and catamaran rental  
• Reconfirmation of onward flight tickets out of the Maldives where necessary
• Coordinate all transfers from/to airport
• Handle Reservations to resorts where the tour operator does not have contracts
• Arranging transit overnight accommodation if required for a client VIP services
• Diving expenditions
• Meeting or conferences organisation and support

When you want to build stronger relationships with a business partner, make a client feel truly special, offer an unforgettable reward to a top achiever, or give your employees the royal treatment...

What better than to bring them to unparalleled Islands of Maldives. The Maldives has a double chain of 26 atolls along the north south direction spread over 90,000 square kilometers making the country one of the world’s most dispersed countries. Chosen as one of the top destinations to travel, the Maldives is a country with 1,192 coral islands and about 100 of them developed as tourist resorts.

Essence Of Maldives programs are born out of creativity and experience and an intuitive understanding of how to make every aspect of the visit and stay   out of the ordinary. Imagine a program that takes your clients up to the remote island with a private set up cocktail and dinner is a sand bank with a sailing catamaran or yacht ,or perhaps even taken a private waterplane as a VIP transfer for your clients.

The other exclusivities on offer are royalty welcomes to your clients with the choicest of travel arrangements which include luxurious accommodation, gala theme evenings, entertaining cultural shows and nature inspired excursions. All of this combined with the way in which Essence of Maldives  DMC excels in working closely with planners ensuring minutely detailed proposals, full brochure support on hotels and sites, swift response timings and a meticulous planning of the entire program from pre departure teasers to detailed menus.

So now you know why we have been able to gladden the hearts and minds of planners and clients alike from all over the globe.

Essence of  Maldives :

Welcome

This is the traditional greeting with hands joined together that awaits your clients on their arrival in this magical and mystical Island of Miracles, and the greeting that will follow them throughout in which ever part of the islands they would visit.

Essence of Maldives: Accommodation

In every incentive program, meticulous care is given for the provision of accommodation to offer the guest full value for their money. Your clients will therefore be provided with accommodation ranging from Luxurious Resorts, some of them being considered the finest in the world. 

Essence of Maldives : Escort Manager

The services of a multi-lingual Tour Manager is included in all our incentive programs from the time of arrival to departure. An ‘Escort' who knows much more than just a destination, it's history and significance - a professional armed with all the required experience to understand what the client needs and to ensure that it is provided.

Essence of Maldives : Mementos

We leave no stone unturned to ensure that your client's trip is indeed a memorable one and will provide all assistance for them to carry back with them the mememtos of their visit to this wonderful resplendent isle by gifting them with pictures of their special interest tours, or a cocktail drink on a private and exclusive island or beach overlooking the ocean, anything and everything based on the good memories they will carry on their return home.

Essence of Maldives: Events and Themes

With us your clients are assured of visits to exotic destinations, greeted with welcome ceremonies unmatched in the world, lunches and dinners rich in mouth-watering culinary and delicacies served in unparalleled settings. From royal themes to modern day fantasies, every location is set in an unique theme adding a special flavour to the event with great ideas to accommodate any special request.

Try us today and fell the difference Contact : mailto: incentives@essenceofsrilanka.com