The Wrap from ITB Berlin: Maldives Meltdown

Maldives sells the president’s luxury yacht

Fears of a global slowdown are forcing drastic action from the Maldives government.

Such is the concern about declining income from tourism, the government has opted to sell off some of the most potent symbols of state.

First to go is the presidential yacht, which is being auctioned, with a reserve price of US$7.5 million.

The presidential ‘picnic island’ – a two-acre retreat with private beaches, badminton courts, a gym and a cricket pitch – is being turned into a conference centre.

Tourism makes up more than a third of the islands’ economy, but with visitor numbers flat in 2008 and down five percent in January, ministers say the fledging democracy needs to cut costs.

Tsunami on show

The Indonesian province of Aceh has opened a Museum of the Tsunami.

The project was pioneered by a local architect based on donations of US$5.4 million.

The museum pays tribute to victims and donors. One of the features of the museum is an electronic simulation of the earthquake that triggered the tsunami.

Vietnam visa stalemate

Despite failing to achieve visitor arrival targets for 2008, Vietnam’s authorities remain reluctant to soften visa rules.

According to vice minister of sport and tourism, Tran Chien Thing, the restriction is necessary for ‘security reasons’.

Since October 2008, international arrivals have declined month on month by about 11 percent, forcing the authorities to impose cuts in prices for hotels and domestic air tickets and to link value-added offers to package tours.

Etihad, Bangkok Airways team up

Bangkok Airways has signed a code-share agreement with Etihad Airways for flights between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok.

Etihad’s code will also appear on some of Bangkok Airways’ services to Phuket and Samui.

According to Peter Wiesner, vice president marketing of Bangkok Airways, both airlines are working to expand the code share to international destinations.

Cambodia and London are the most likely destinations to be served on a code-share basis.

Disney Shanghai makes progress

There are signs of progress on the much talked-about Disneyland project in Pudong, Shanghai.

Costing around US$6 billion and planned to be eight times
bigger than Disneyland in Hong Kong, Shanghai officials now say it will open in 2012 or 2013.

Crystal dream

Sailing on the Danube surrounded by crystal? If you fancy this dream, the Bavarian city of Passau if offering two-hour cruises on a boat made almost entirely of Swarovski crystal.

The ship is decorated with 30-metre long crystal arches with giant chandeliers, harp stairs and statues, all in crystal. The boat will start its cruises in May.

Sri Lanka rebrands itself as ‘Small Miracle’

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Promotion Bureau’s new brand tag is ‘Sri Lanka – Small Miracle’.

The new tagline replaces, ‘A Land Like No Other’.

Tobias Bandara, promotion manager for the bureau, said the objective was to make Sri Lanka a brand with its diversity more visible.

He said the ‘Small’ element comes from Sri Lanka’s compact geography, which allows visitors to experience mountain climates, tropical beaches, world heritage sites, national parks and game reserves within a two- or three-hour drive.