Cathay Pacific Adds Maldives to its Flight Network

Flag carrier of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific has made public its plans to launch new flights to the Maldives. This means more options to vacationers who look for tickets to fly to one of the most-sought-after holiday retreats in the world. It will be a four-times-weekly service from Hong Kong and will commence from 27 October 2013, subject to government approval.

As per the airline’s press release, flights will take off from Hong Kong for Maldives every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Flight CX601 will depart Hong Kong at 1715 and land in the Maldives at 2125. Return Flight CX602 will take off from the Maldives at 2335 and touch down at Hong Kong at 0855. 

To better serve fliers booking tickets with the airline, Cathay Pacific will be using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the route. The plane will have three-class configuration with Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Long-haul Economy Class. Multiple choices will help all sorts of fliers who are looking to book flights tickets with the carrier.

Those who indeed book tickets with Cathay Pacific on the new route will be able to enjoy the operator’s wonderful in-flight services and state-of-the-art entertainment system, including on-demand video and audio in all classes of travel.

Located in the middle of Indian Ocean, the Maldives is an exceedingly popular holiday destination among keen vacationers, especially with honeymooners and adventurers.

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Surge in Maldives tourism stimulates Thai investors

Maldives has long been a popular destination for travellers across the globe who book air tickets on flights to the destination to revel in its spectacular palm fringed islands, white sand beaches, inimitable water sports like scuba diving, snorkelling etc. Maldives has seen a twenty percent increase in tourist activities in the present year which has instilled confidence, particularly, in Thai hospitality services to launch more ventures in the archipelago. 

The recent increase in frequency of flights to Maldives by Thailand’s aviation giant Bangkok Airways shows the positive mindset amongst Thai companies for future prospects in the Maldives. This will also prove to be a great boon for travellers as availability of tickets will increase and also cheaper prices can be availed.

Besides, well known hospitality firm, Centara Hotels and Resorts, plans to extend their services in the Maldives by opening a new five star hotel, Centara Hudhufushi Resort & Spa. The resort will have approximately 110 rooms and can be accessed via a 25 minute seaplane ride from the Malé International Airport.

Tourism provides Maldives with a big chunk of its GDP by contributing to almost thirty percent of the product. Tourist numbers are expected to touch 1.2 million in 2013 and with Maldives increasing the tourism budget from USD 1.2 million to USD 5.1 million.

No wonder, global brands thriving on tourism including those of Thailand are looking to cash in on these ever increasing revenue numbers by investing at the destination and providing first-rate services. 

And amidst all these developments, it is indeed the international tourist who stands to benefit from the growing number of flights and accommodation options in the Maldives. Considered to be an expensive destination, the increase in alternatives may even spell availability of cheap flights tickets and accommodation.

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India Maldives May Enhance Flight Operations

International tourists who are often seen in a lookout for flights between India and the renowned Indian Ocean destination of Maldives may soon have added flight options available to them as both the countries are planning to enhance flight operations.

In a meeting held in New Delhi, the delegates from both the countries decided to reconsider the bilateral air services agreement that does not allow flights to India and from this Indian Ocean destination with a carrying capacity of more than 150.

It is believed that Indian authorities will relook the agreement to support tourism between the two countries that have long been on the radar of international holidaymakers.

A fair share of reputed airlines, other than Air India, operates flights from India to Maldives with a higher capacity.

Indian officials also requested the Maldivian authorities to make proactive efforts to facilitate these flights operations. 

Many Indian and foreign carriers like Island Aviation, Mega Maldives and SpiceJet are planning to start their flights connecting India’s popular cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai with Maldivian capital, Male.

Maldives and India are two highly popular destinations among millions of international tourists across the globe. The increased flights operation is surely going to benefit the foreign passengers taking flights from India to this Indian Ocean destination.

The meeting also discussed the issues faced by GMR Group who was awarded the privatization contract for Male International Airport. The Indian officials emphasised to strengthen the airport infrastructure.

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Flights to Maldives – Top 5 Attractions that Make Them Popular

Maldives is an incredibly popular holiday destination where millions of vacationers land up every year to experience a wonderful time! The tiny islands of the Maldives are remarkably alluring because of the exquisite and mesmeric sandy beaches that surround the region. Add to these remarkable beaches the variety and the beauty of the magnificent diving sites and you have a vacation destination that is simply the best! The serene and calming beauty of the place offers an awesome experience to all kinds of vacationers. From incredible water activities to spectacular sun-bathed coastline – Maldives holidays offers something for everyone!

Although generally considered to be an expensive destination, tour operators and travel agents do roll out competitively priced holiday packages for the island destination. These holiday packages include accommodation and cheap flights to Maldives and remain extremely popular among holiday makers as these lend them a chance to get up, close and personal with the region’s exotic natural beauty well within their budget. Out of a myriad Maldives tourist attractions, check out some that just cannot be missed.

Male
Male is the capital city of Maldives and fittingly so! Every international flight to Maldives lands up in Male, making it the first point of contact for vacationers. Male is home to some of the nation’s finest tourist attractions and delights. The city boasts of some incredible museums and mosques that portray the historical and religious facets of the region. In fact, the city’s museums are massively intriguing and feature precious artefacts. Male also features a popular traditional handicrafts market, the Singapore Bazaar – known to showcase the talents and skills of the locals.

Esjehi Art Gallery
Esjehi Art Gallery is a remarkable tourist attraction that enchants tourists into booking tickets on flights to Maldives. The tour of the Esjehi Art Gallery is indeed a perfect treat for those who appreciate art. Located in one of the most significant and oldest buildings in Male, Esjehi Art Gallery houses an enthralling compilation of art, making it a must-see attraction during your holidays to Maldives. The art gallery is located very near to the Sultan Park, which is a popular tourist spot in itself.

Maldives Fish Market
The Maldives Fish Market is yet another must-visit attraction of the island country. The popularity of the place is evident through the hordes of crowd that frequent the place. Holiday makers from different corners of the world visit this place to enjoy an experience that is unbelievably unique. People can check out scrumptiously fresh fruits, vegetables, tuna, dried fish and other varieties of fish the Maldives Fish Market offers. What makes this place more attractive is the level of cleanliness and hygiene it has!


Grand Friday Mosque
Enticing many to look for cheap flights to Maldives, Grand Friday Mosque is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the nation. The mosque owes its popularity and famed reputation to the majestic designs and appealing architecture that reflect the ancient times of the region. Grand Friday Mosque was build by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar in the year 1656 and it has the capacity to house around 5,000 people.

Maldives Beaches
Well, your Maldives holidays cannot complete unless you have visited the island’s vibrant and striking beaches. Ample amount of sunshine coupled with wonderful scenic beauty makes beaches in Maldives almost paradisiacal. Tourists can also take part in various interesting beach activities. Some of the region’s popular beaches include Sun Island beach, Royal Island Resorts and Paradise Island.

These are few of the numerous attractions that adorn the land of the Maldives making it such a red hot holiday destination among leisure travellers. Plan early, grab cheap flights and enjoy a vacation of your lifetime in Maldives.

Maldives – The Best Place for Scuba Diving

Maldives is a dream holiday destination with numerous top class attractions. With its charming sandy beaches and pristine lagoons, Maldives is known to drown many a travellers in its incredible beauty! Lofty palm trees lining the beaches, vibrant coral reefs adorning the clear lagoons along with most astonishing resorts complete the wonderful picture!

Each Maldivian island is a holiday resort in itself and is dedicated to make your holidays in Maldives something spectacular and memorable! It is a little wonder that flights to Maldives are hugely popular among leisure travellers around the world, and cheap flights to Maldives are something that cause almost frenzy among holiday makers!

Every Maldivian island is blessed with a shallow and large lagoon and with few of them bestowed with a house reef that guards the islands from the enormous waves originating from the ocean. The reefs make water around the islands a natural swimming pool with varied depths making it appropriate for all kinds and levels of swimmers. The shallow waters are perfect for families with kids to enjoy. However the reefs are much more than swimming heavens, they are host to a various species of live corals and tropical fishes!

Maldives’s Diving Scene
Whether you wish to snorkel around or hope to catch a closer look at the marine life by underwater diving, the Maldivian resorts will provide you with all facilities and equipment. If you fancy yourself as a bit of daredevil or an adventurer, the opportunities are just a jump away from your resorts! Delve into the waters to experience the horizon of the sea, and explore the beauty of a variety of corals and the overwhelming fauna that festoon the reef!

Many of the island nation’s diving sites can be explored from the resorts themselves or through diving safari trips. Most of the diving sites in the country are more likely to be found in the in the shallower reefs around the islands. However, some best diving spots are to be found in the crowd of channels that are created by the Maldives' exceptional ecological formations.

What Makes Maldives Probably the Best Diving Paradise in the World?
Many believe that Maldives is perhaps the best diving spot around the world, and it really will be something to contradict this belief! The mesmerising underwater life is the biggest reason tickets on cheap flights to Maldives sell like hot cakes. The reefs are brimming with an array of species of tropical fish – perhaps more than anywhere else found in the world. Each and every Maldivian resort is fully equipped to let you play out your scuba diving fantasies. Resorts feature dining centres along with regular dive excursion schedules. Diving centres offer courses ranging from fun diving to open-water training to professional diving. Even night time diving can be arranged for travellers under the guidance of expert diving instructors.

With scuba diving being the most significant recreational activity undertaken by the tourists visiting Maldives, a host of diving sites have been declared as protected ones. Each of the sites is a top notch diving spot that have the potential of spellbinding even the diving instructors who visit them daily! Grab flights to Maldives and experience the finest of marine life!

Diving Season in Maldives
Maldives is a major scuba diving destination all year round but the period between November to May is considered to be the best time for confirmed live-aboard departures. Travellers who choose to visit outside this period are less likely to land up with a departure date that suits their schedule. However, those looking for cheap airlines to Maldives during the peak season must plan early and book cheap tickets on airlines well in advance.