Aitken Spence to build new hotel in Maldives

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Aitken Spence Hotels is looking at building another hotel in the Maldives. The company is now in the process of buying an island resort to build their new hotel .

COO, Adaaran Resorts, Upul Pieris, under which brand the Airken Spence Hotels are positioned in the Maldives said that they have already looked at a couple of uninhabited islands and are also negotiating with some existing hotels in this regard. “We would look at the best option to add another 400 rooms in the Maldives,” he said.

He said that though operational overheads are high in the Maldives the return on investment is quick due to high rates the country is used to.

He also said that currently they are in the process of adding more water bungalows to their flagship property, Adaaran “Prestige” Vadoo.

“We are looking at building around 10 water bungalows.”

Adaaran Vadoo is holding on well and it is one of the best honey moon destinations in the Maldives and this is the reason we decided to increase capacity. Adaaran ‘Prestige’ Vadoo, with beautifully landscaped gardens, a majestic infinity swimming pool and intimately placed spa facilities, is by far the most unique island with 50 new subliminally villas.

He said their hotels were positioned at high level and the product was re branded in 2005 December which had given them added value and their revenue targets had exceeded expectations.

He said the Aitkin Spence Hotels Group has been in the Maldives since 1993 and is the first hotel chain to enter the country and own their own properties.

Adaaran Resorts owned properties in the Maldives also include Adaaran ‘Select’ Meedhupparu, Adaaran ‘Select’ Hudhuran Fushi, Adaaran ‘Club’ Rannalhi, Adaaran ‘Ayurveda Village’ Meedhupparu, Adaaran‘ Prestige’ Water Villas and Adaaran ‘Prestige’ Ocean Villas.

Together, Adaaran portfolio offers 610 beds and employs over 1,600 making them the biggest foreign hotel chain in the Maldives.

The performance of the Group’s resorts in the Maldives was satisfactory during the year amid the world recovering from recession. By the end of the year the Maldives and in particular its resorts, would endure heavy demand and high occupancy rates, although average room rates had decreased. An increase in average room rates was anticipated in the coming year.

Commenting on Maldivian tourism, he said that they are very focused and consider ideas of all the stake holders regularly and this year were targeting one million arrivals.

They also invest heavily in advertising all over the world, which in turn brings in high spending tourists. Several new airlines have also commenced flying to Maldives.