Maldives An Exceptional Vacation Paradise

The Maldive Islands attract visitors with its silver sun kissed beaches and vast clear turquoise lagoons. Sun, sea, sand, exquisite coral reefs and the warm welcome you receive from the local people when you arrive here all make the Maldives an exceptional vacation paradise.

Located just south of Sri Lanka on the equator, the Maldives are made up of 1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls, 202 of these islands are inhabited and 87 are exclusive resort islands. Over the years the Maldives have become a melting pot of cultures, with distinctive African and South Asian influences as seen in the dances, the music and even the delicious food. There are also distinctly unique traits that set them apart. Amongst them include a strong role that women play in society. Dhivehi is the
primary language spoken but English is widely understood. The Maldivian economy is fuelled largely by tourism so the government has committed to creating an environment that international travelers will feel safe and secure bringing their families. Excellent health care and communications systems are important factors that contribute to making the Maldives a perfect destination for those who are looking to escape to a beautiful tropical paradise.

Huvadu is one of the largest atolls in the world, with several inhabited islands on its reef rim. Its strategic location in the main sea route around Southern India has brought it into contact with mariners sailing the Indian Ocean through the centuries. Since 1970 Huvadu has been divided into Northern and Southern districts for administration purposes. The language spoken here is Huvadu Bas which is different to the local Dhivehi language.

Located on the Mahadhdhoo Island on the eastern side of the large Huvadu Atoll, Turtle Cove Resort and Spa is a little over a kilometer long and beautifully formed in the shape of a peacock. The island has been named
after its most famous marine residents, the turtles which can be found in abundance around the coast line of the Maldives.

It is the ideal hideaway for those who want to escape a busy work life, to bask in luxury and enjoy a supreme level of pampering. The unforgettable experiences range from picnicking on any of the unspoiled islands that surround the resort to getting adventurous with a diving experience. Snorkeling will add to the amazing memories as you explore the spectacular house reef a short swim from the shore. This exclusive resort
is where you will enjoy complete peace and privacy in the comfort of your spacious, well furnished and fully equipped villa- a home away from home.

Turtle Cove Resort & Spa
Turtle Cove Resort and Spa features 77 one-bedroom villas, 30 of which are located on the water in the lagoon with a further 10 two-bedroom villas.

 

Each villa is of 5 star quality and includes individual private pool, breathtaking views of the island and personal concierge service. Turtle Cove also features a luxury spa, fine dining restaurants, boutique shopping promenade and water sports centre. The resort is due for completion in 2009.

Each of the one and two-bedroom villas is designed to give an unparalleled level of privacy and complete with every modern amenity from a private butler to a choice of bed pillows to exclusive dining under the stars.

Each villa also has a well stocked bar, music on demand from the resort’s AV entertainment system, video movies and games. If you are feeling romantic there is a private pool with sundeck, a Maldivian love-seat and exotic outdoor shower while the breathtaking views of the amazing outdoor scenery enhances
the overall experience.

A beautiful hideaway does not mean that you are cut off from the rest of the world. You can enjoy internet access nd telephone service to keep you in touch with loved ones. Everything about the villas is world class 5* luxury and is not surprising that Turtle Cove Resort and Spa has the distinction of being a favourite with the stars, with celebrities like Sir Bob Geldoff, Elle Macpherson, Gordon Ramsey and Frankie Dettori having opted for holiday homes there. The pristine environment of the Mahadhoo Islands requires a delicate
approach to development to ensure the natural environment is preserved and ultimately enhanced to enable the islands precious beauty to be experienced as it should. To ensure this was achieved, Paris Magdalinos
Architects of New Zealand were engaged by the Emerald Group as sustainability consultants to achieve this. They bring with them a wealth of experience in providing integrated environmentally sustainable design solutions in the Pacific Islands of New Zealand to this project. A broad range of sustainable construction and management technologies are being implemented which include energy saving technologies, water saving devices, rainwater harvesting, natural / local materials and indigenous building techniques.

This will ensure a development that is not only luxurious but environmentally sustainable and something to be proud of. The goal of Paris Magdalinos Architects is to ensure that at the end of holiday on Mahadhoo island, the only footprint you leave is in the sand.

Turtle Cove resort is the second property in Emerald Vacation Group’s portfolio and follows Emerald Court, a 5 star urban development, located in close proximity to Dubai’s favourite tourist attractions namely, the Souq Madinat, Burj Al Arab and Atlantis on the Palm Jumeirah. The 48 unit property offers a combination of both one and two bedroom apartments and will be among the fist vacation ownership properties in Dubai to cater to a variety of markets including both GCC and international visitors.

Disney Debuts African-Inspired Villas

“Oh give me a home, where the river hogs roam, where giraffes and the wildebeests play.” Clearly, that’s not how the song goes, but don’t tell that to the folks at Disney.

Thousands of miles from the great plains of the Serengeti, Disney Vacation Club Members at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida are enjoying the best of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, billed as “a village alive with the spirit of the savanna.”

The vacation-ownership project builds on the success of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, a popular Walt Disney World Resort hotel that readers of Travel & Leisure Family magazine honored with the No. 4 spot on their list of the 50 greatest family resorts in the United States and Canada. Located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the Lodge immerses “explorers” in the vibrancy of African culture and the tranquility of an animal reserve (populated by such creatures as zebras, gazelles and those aforementioned river hogs, giraffes and wildebeests). Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas extends that experience further with a diverse celebration of Africa’s people, art and, yes, animals.

The first phase of villas opened recently on select floors of the existing resort building, now known as Jambo House (Jambo is Swahili for “welcome”), and crews are developing future phases that will create an adjacent string of vacation homes in a new area to be known as Kidani Village (Kidani is Swahili for “necklace,” a fitting name for a sweeping string of African inspired structures).

Disney Vacation Club Members and Guests are responding enthusiastically to the new accommodations, marveling at the hand-crafted African furnishings and discovering the “hidden” touches they’ve come to expect in all things Disney, from hidden Mickey heads among the carpet’s animal spots or carved animal legs holding up tables, to characters from the animated classic The Lion King hiding in everything from headboards and entertainment centers to curtains and tile work. Add an array of authentic works of African art and such modern luxuries as granite counter tops and flat-panel televisions, and the view inside is almost as good as the one out the window.

“We’re really excited about this project,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Leger, one of the creative minds behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas. “This resort is so rich in detail and storytelling, and this gives us the opportunity to continue those stories in new and interesting ways.”

Much of that storytelling, of course, is rooted in the wild, and crews are working diligently to protect the welfare of their furry and feathered friends.

“We work in close collaboration with our partners at Disney’s Animal Programs to ensure that our construction activity doesn’t interfere with their world-class animal care,” Joe explained. “It’s one of the most fascinating aspects of the project from a construction standpoint. Animals don’t like surprises, so when we need to introduce new equipment to the project, we work closely with the Animal Care team to set the equipment away from the savannas and gradually move it closer so they become familiar with it. Also, the Animal Care Specialists won’t begin introducing new animals into the expanded savanna space until we’ve completed exterior  construction of the new village.”

The new village, slated to open in phases beginning in spring 2009, is described by Imagineers as being, “a manmade structure that seems curiously at home in the natural world.” This blending of the human and
animal worlds will be evident in the village’s overall layout, which, for some explorers, will evoke images of an African necklace, with vacation homes serving as “beads,” hallway connectors on the upper floors as “knots” and the intimately designed lobby as a central “jewel” (hence the aforementioned necklace-inspired name). Others may equate the organically curved layout to the shape of a Cape Buffalo’s horns, and the Porte Cochere to a butterfly with thatched wings.

That exterior construction involves more than just erecting walls and thatching roofs, as crews are designing a variety of outdoor-recreation areas, including a planned water-play “camp” that’ll be central to the village’s storyline.

“Kids will discover an old animal-observation camp divided into three distinct planned areas for various age groups,” explained Imagineer Tim Warzecha. “Water jets will flow through everything from an iconic water tower to sculpted snakes and Venus flytraps, and kids will trigger the action by aiming hoses, stepping on pressure-sensitive pads and more. We think this is going to be one of the most popular places in the village.”

Back on drier land, African artwork will continue the immersive experience. “The artwork in the existing Lodge is about man’s relationship to animals,” Tim said of the diverse pieces that comprise one of the largest collections of African art outside of Africa . “The art program for the new village shifts gears
a bit and focuses more on expressions of the African people, which has been a lot of fun to explore.”

The focus on Africa’s people will extend to the village’s planned 150-seat restaurant, which will draw inspiration from spices cultivated in the continent’s eastern region. The menu will build on those flavors, presenting dishes that will be slow-cooked, grilled over a wood fire or roasted in a traditional
Indian clay oven called a Tandoori.

Disney Vacation Club President Jim Lewis is pleased to see Members settling into the still-growing resort, saying, “We continue to see strong demand from families who want to build a lifetime of unforgettable
memories by vacationing in ways they never dreamed possible, and I am delighted that our Members have yet another place to call home with Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas.”

Perspective A List – Howard C. Nusbaum, President & CEO, ARDA

An Interview with Howard C. Nusbaum, President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association on how ARDA has helped shape our industry over the years and its continuing efforts to promote timeshare as a mainstream hospitality product.

What is your background prior to your appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer of ARDA?
I spent ten years with American Hotel & Lodging Association in various roles including Vice President of Corporate Relations for the AH&LA as well as Executive Vice President of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association. Prior to my hotel association experience, I was VP of Sales and Marketing for Janus Hotels and Resorts, a national hotel management company.

What differences and similarities have you found working within the timeshare industry with ARDA compared with the hospitality industry at American Hotel & Lodging Association?
Of course there are similarities between the two industry associations since both are advocacy oriented groups and both focus on travel and hospitality, but the two industries are also very different. The Hotel industry focuses on yield management and resort operations. The timeshare industry has many facets beyond resort operations and yield on rentals of guest accommodations. Resort operations are key to delivering on the promise of better vacationing; however, the timeshare business is seen by many as a sales and marketing business, and many others might argue that it is a financial services business. Additionally,
the highly regulated state by state real estate laws coupled with complicated and important use-plans make timeshare a very focused real estate business with great attention to legal and regulatory framework.

We understand you have won a number of highly prestigious awards from the Educational Institute. What were they for?
I had the honor of working closely on the development of several hospitality training programs. The spirit of hospitality training and the need to make sure that the employees who touch our customers understand their role in creating a positive guest experience is an inspiring journey. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when EI was focused on this front line training. It was a privilege to co-develop this training as well as some welfare-to-work vocational training. Nothing is more motivational than the chance to help people understand what a difference they can make – one person at a time.

Since you joined ARDA in 2000 what has been your greatest achievement?
One of the things I am most proud of is working with ARDA volunteer leadership to mainstream this once niche industry into the larger world of hospitality and tourism. For too long, timeshare and other vacation ownership products flew under the radar of the larger tourism industry. Today, I believe ARDA and the industry are seen as important and influential partners in both the world of travel and tourism and the
world of real estate. What makes vacation ownership so interesting is that we have a foot in both industries (real estate and hospitality) – we are travel product with real estate as the centrepiece and integrity of the product. Helping the industry take its rightful leadership role in both these worlds has been a very rewarding experience.

ARDA covers approx 99% of the US timeshare market. Do you plan to extend your reach to cover fractional / residence clubs?
ARDA has both a traditional timeshare segment membership as well as a fractional/ PRC membership. As far back as 1987, ARDA was publishing fractional research. I realize that the two products have different development business models and marketing practices; however, from a legal perspective – dividing interests in real estate is the same no matter the size of the interest or the duration of the use plan or the amenity level. ARDA has always served both segments. I am proud of some of the new benefits we have created especially for our fractional members as we recognize the differences in the products and the consumers they serve.

What goals are ARDA currently working towards? In addition to our on going mission of advocacy for vacation ownership at the local, state and federal level, I believe that the new PR initiative ARDA is working on will be a real turning point for the industry. ARDA is working to “recolor” the word timeshare to better reflect its contemporary product offerings and consumer-centric marketing. Furthermore, we are working through this initiative to move timeshare and fractional media coverage from the real estate investment pages to the travel and tourism pages. I long for the day when columnists quit saying that timeshare is a
bad investment. Vacations are not financial investments, and no one goes on vacation expecting that expenditure to become an annuity. Timeshares pay an immense “enjoyment dividend,” and I believe ARDA is niquely qualified to educate the media and consumers on this issue.

What have been your greatest challenges as President & CEO of ARDA?
As the industry moves from being a niche product that must be sold to a mainstream lodging option desired by consumers, one of the hardest things has been to get everyone to buy into the concept that timeshare can be a sought good. I know that the old paradigm was “No one wakes up wanting to buy a timeshare.” And although that is true, I’d like to suggest a new a paradigm, “Everyone wakes up everyday wanting to be on vacation.” If we all agree on this new twist on an old theme, then the work of ARDA and the developer community becomes more about expressing why owning a timeshare is a vehicle for better vacationing. One only has to look at demographics to know that the large number of middle class to affluent people who are interested in owning a flexible piece of vacation real estate that costs less than a new car makes for a
compelling value proposition. In short, we have an eager marketplace, all we have to do is present the product in a way in which the demands of this growing marketplace can understand.

What have been ARDAs key milestones?
I’m proud of many of ARDA’s accomplishments in recent years – from our omnibus timeshare bill that passed a few years ago in California (the largest state with so much potential) to the various wins throughout the country protecting timeshare consumers from onerous transient occupancy taxes and real estate taxes. Through the passion of almost a million timeshare consumers, ARDA-ROC (Resort Owners Coalition) has helped ARDA advocate not only for the timeshare product but the integrity of the real estate purchase made by more than 4.4 million American consumers.

ARDA is blessed to represent an entrepreneurial industry that has recreated the way families vacation. Nothing is more satisfying than the comments I hear from  timeshare owners as they express how this product has positively impacted their live and their families.

What changes do you see ahead for the industry in the next 10 years?
Just from an American perspective, we have 70+ million baby boomers moving from restrictive work and family schedules to a period in life with more time, freedom and affluence. The idea of owning a vacation product that allows them to experience their “wanderlust” and enjoy multigenerational vacationing
with family and friends is hugely compelling. Our time as an industry has come. All we have to do is make sure that we capitalize on this growing marketplace with consumer friendly sales and marketing backed by quality assured products. I’m very excited about the future!