The grandson on the world famous underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, is launching this week the unique idea of “Plant a fish” which will help to preserve coral reefs and protect marine life on the luxury holidays destination of the Maldives.

Fabian Cousteau is hoping to enlist the help of the local community to get the plan off the ground. The Maldives Traveller reports that “the programme will work with local schools, individuals and organisations such as Six Senses resorts (Soneva Fushi) to replant coral”.

With guidance the programme will help the local community to protect and value “key marine species in their local habitats”. Fabian Cousteau hopes that by engaging the locals and educating them they will be aware of what is needed to protect their important coral reefs.

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong is situated overlooking the glittering Victoria Harbour.

The hotel has remained at the heart of Hong Kong's social and business scene since its doors first opened back in 1963.

The hotel is known for is known for its high service and its style is reminiscent of its glamorous past. It boasts exquisite and contemporary facilities which nevertheless respect and value the traditions and values of the orient. It truly is an exceptional hotel and a stay there is a truly exceptional experience.

In a hotel where the facilities are second to none they also offer a very personal service. For example the concierge, Giovanni, has created a personal list of things which he would recommend that you see during your stay in Hong Kong - places of interest, things that are a must to see and do, his personally recommended restaurants, as well as the best places to shop.

For a unique and luxury holiday, short break or business trip the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong is second to none.

Not only is February the month for several carnivals and festivals but it also heralds the beginning of spring in the British Countryside and several sporting events. So we suggest you chase away the winter blues with a short break abroad. Take a look at the Only Exclusive Travel website to even more ideas.

1 Carnival in Venice Reintroduced in the Eighties to boost flagging winter tourism, the carnival has become a virtual sell-out. It does produce extraordinary scenes as people in masks and 18th-century dress glide in and out of the gondolas and backstreets, and the whole city takes on an unreal party atmosphere.

2 Carnival in Rio The carnival to end all carnivals begins on February 20, and the Samba School Parades continue until the following (Shrove) Tuesday. The bad news about this spectacular party is the cost of the tickets to the Sambadromo, which is the only area where you can see the main events - £496 for the best seats. The good news is that it is still possible to get some for this year.

3 Carnival in Nice Not quite as glamorous as Rio or Venice, but one of Europe's most colourful Lenten celebrations takes place in Nice in France. The Riviera resort celebrates the beginning of Lent with more than a week of processions - flower parades in the afternoons, light parades in the evenings, and a big firework display on the final evening.

4 Winter Carnival in Quebec The largest winter carnival in the world runs for two weeks until February 15. The number and range of events is extraordinary: from dogsled racing through the snow-covered streets of the city to snow sculpture, canoe-racing on the St Lawrence River, and night parades. There are events you can take part in - such as skating, and painting workshops - as well as things to watch.

5 Darwin in Kent Down House in Kent is the idyllic rural escape where Darwin and worked for 40 years and where On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man were written. English Heritage, which owns the house, is celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth with an exhibition here.

6 Flowers in the Woods Despite a cold January, the first snowdrops and aconites are already blooming in many parts of the country and spring doesn't seem quite so far away. On a sunny February day, nothing raises the spirits better than a walk through the great drifts of white flowers that carpet some of Britain's best woodland gardens. Some open just for the snowdrop season and on limited days of the week. 

7 Art in St Ives You might not think of winter as being the obvious time to visit Cornwall, but in February you can not only enjoy the landscape and the beaches devoid of crowds, you can also catch the new Ben Nicholson exhibition at Tate St Ives.

8 Cricket in Barbados It has not been a happy time for English cricket recently, but there are plenty of consolations to be had when they are playing in Barbados. The Third Test begins on February 26 at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. If you are tempted by this idea check out the accommodation offered by Only Exclusive Travel in Barbados.

9 Skiing in the Alps This season has been one of the best in living memory all over the Alps. When it hasn't been snowing, the sun has been shining and the temperatures have been cold enough to keep the snow in excellent condition.

10 Glamour in St Moritz White Turf - when St Moritz converts the frozen lake below the resort into a horse racing track - is one of the great events of the winter calendar and underpins the resort's reputation as the most glamorous place to be in February.

Tanzania will be hosting the largest and most ambitious travel industry event in East Africa.  The Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, will be held 5th – 7th June 2009.  The fair will be held just outside Arusha which is Tanzania’s safari capital and will attract travel industry partners from around the world.

Part of the uniqueness and excitement of The Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair is that it is an outdoor event that offers a real safari experience. There will be over 250 exhibitors and thousands of regional and international visitors are expected to attend the 2009 Fair. Travel industry suppliers, large and small, including tour operators, tourist boards, hoteliers, and support service representatives and equipment manufacturers are typical attendees. There will be representatives from the luxury holiday market as well as more affordable exhibitors.

If you are interested in visiting this region, Only Exclusive Travel feature Shompole, which is situated in South-eastern Kenya on the Tanzanian border. A 30 minutes private charter flight from Nairobi.

1. Doing it yourself - Some people love to organise everything from scratch but planning a luxury holiday is a complex activity. The amount of information a person needs to know take travel agents years to obtain. Trust them and follow their advice.
2. Buying by the piece - There are some occasions when buying 'ala carte' can be the most economical option, but this is probably not the case when it comes to luxury holidays. Tickets for flights, hotel bookings and tourist attractions all add up very quickly. It is best to see what kind of a deal you can get with everything included. This also means that you only have to deal with one person instead each individual company separately.
3. Visit places on travel advisory - Some people like to live dangerously, but taking a luxury holiday to a war zone, or to a politically unstable area are not advised.
4. Carrying all your money - Depending on the Country that you are travelling, it is not advisable to carry a lot of cash on you. You might end up losing out of the exchange rate or losing your cash with slim possibility of replacement.
5. Not advising of needs - Many luxury hotels and trip organisers like to know what their guests enjoy. Some may send out questionnaires to see what a guest would like, don't ignore this, it can make your trip more enjoyable.

If you are looking for luxury holidays with a difference look no further than the new concept of a “floating hotel in the clouds”. It is being showcased at The Tourism features Conference in Brisbane by its designer Nick Talbot.

This revolutionary airship towers 265 meters high and it is estimated it could transport 100 passengers from London to New York in 37 hours. Nick Talbot said that “It kind of intuitively felt like a shame that the act of travelling seemed to be becoming devalued. It was all about getting there”. He went on to add that “The original working title was Clipper in the Clouds with very romantic notions of the days when people would sail in a clipper from Britain to India or the Far East”.

The “Aircruise” is unique as it will leave no carbon footprint as it is powered by solar power. It will incorporate apartments, viewing decks and glass viewing floors. It is hoped that when the airship passes over places of interest, such as the Pyramids, it will drop to a height of 100 feet allowing passengers to have access to amazing sights. Several tourism operators have shown genuine interest in the project.
 

Only Exclusive Travel has one of the best travel websites currently available and brings the worlds best travel destinations into one comprehensive resource.

All of the hotels and resorts featured on our website are specially selected and are only included if they meet our demanding and exacting criteria. Only Exclusive Travel also operates an extensive luxury worldwide golf programme, featuring some of the finest and most spectacularly located courses in the world.

“Our emphasis is on not only providing you with sensational and luxurious resorts but on providing a personalised and attentive service.”

Says Only Exclusive Travels Adam Abadi

“We pride ourselves on our detailed knowledge of the resorts - the staff at Only Exclusive Travel have personally visited, inspected and stayed at all the hotels within their specialised area. That's what makes us different to other agents”

 We all deserve a little pampering from time to time. With more people treating themselves to luxury holidays, hotels are pulling out all the stops to attract visitors to their resorts.

The ultimate tropical holiday destination is no secret; it’s the paradise island of the Maldives. Situated in the Indian Ocean, it comprises of over 1000 coral islands which are grouped together in 26 atolls. With its white sand and palm fringed beaches surrounded by crystal blue lagoons it is easy to see why the local catchphrase is “the sunny side of life”.

Luxury resorts, such as the award winning Soneva Fushi, provide the perfect backdrop for “barefoot sophistication”. All guests’ needs are catered for, from first class accommodation in a lavish villa through to an inspirational gourmet menu. Try out snorkelling and diving or just unwind and take it easy in the luxurious spa.  At Soneva Fushi, comfort and relaxation is their top priority.

Mauritian cuisine reflects its ethnic diversity. It is comprised of a wealth of flavours inherited from the different settlers throughout history.

From French dishes, Indian curries, Creole rougailles, Chinese sweet and sour and even English bacon and eggs there is something that will appeal to everyone's tastes.

This luxury holiday destination prides itself in offering to its visitors fresh fish, seafood and locally grown fruit such as passion fruit, lychees and guavas. Resorts such as Le Touessrok boasts five restaurants where mouth watering Mauritian cuisine can be enjoyed.

The ABTA and FCO Travel Trends Report released last week predicts that in 2010 travellers will splash out on what they call x-factor destinations, meaning once in a lifetime luxury holidays.

South Africa will grow in popularity as a destination because of the World Cup.  Long haul destination made popular by films and television will do well.  They predict that high spending back-packers will be a theme too because of big redundancy cheque payouts.  According to a recent poll, 8 out of 10 of those made redundant plan to travel and to do it in style. 

Even the UK market has transformed with the ordinary B&B going boutique etc.  2010 won’t be about budget travel so much as high end good value for money.

The World Travel Awards were held in Dubai last night and attended by a number of senior professionals from the travel and tourism business, as well as winners, nominees and the press.

Abu Dhabi won 10 awards which breaks the record for the highest number of awards won by a single destination.

Dubai remained the Middle East’s most popular destination by winning both the Middle East’s Leading Destination and the Middle East’s Leading MICE Destination awards.

If you are interested in travelling to the Middle East, Only Exclusive Travel feature several luxury holiday destination in the area including hotels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman.

The well known actor Martin Clunes has recently been featured in an article which explored his memories of childhood holidays at the British seaside.

However, when asked for his favourite holiday destination he didn't hesitate in answering - Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. He explained that his family have returned here for regular annual holidays throughout the last five years. He went on to point out that holidays are expensive but hopefully precious and memorable occasions - at Soneva Fushi you know what they are and are guaranteed a successful holiday.

If you're interested in travelling to the Maldives, Only Exclusive Travel feature several luxury holiday resorts here as well as Soneva Fushi.

Much has been made recently in the press about the recession and its impact on the travel market generally.  The positive effect of this for holiday makers is that there are some really good offers available at all levels including affordable luxury holidays.

For example, Mauritius has long bee associated with luxurious holidays because of it pure white sandy beaches, upmarket hotels and crystal clear blue seas.  Its situation in the Indian Ocean, to the east of Madagascar, means that the country benefits from all year round sunshine.  Offering more than just a beach holiday, the country has a diverse and interesting culture and astonishing natural scenery.

If you’re interested in this luxury destination take a look at the current offers to resorts such a Le Touessrok Mauritius with Only Exclusive Travel.

Air Mauritius has announced a profit in the second quarter of the year of 2.9 million euros.  The airline has made the turn around mainly because of improved efficiency as they have actually reported a drop in total passenger numbers for the same period of 16%.

Mauritius is popular for luxury holidays but the general slowdown has affected the market.  The airline is hoping for a general improvement in the economy, along with luxury resorts like Le Touessrok, to assist their recovery. Everyone involved in the high end holiday industry is hoping for increased bookings over Christmas as European holiday makers escape the cold weather for some "winter sun".

The first 2 months of 2009 showed a continued fall of approximately 5% in air passengers on European airlines. 

March figures could show anything up to a 10% decline as the global recession continues to hit business.

Individual airlines have cut passenger capacity but not quickly enough to prevent an operating loss.

This general trend is effecting both the luxury holidays as well as the lower end of the market.

The number of flights fell last year to their lowest level since September 11. Figures produced by NATS, which runs air traffic control, said it dealt with 1.5 per cent fewer flights in 2008 than in the previous year, while December's figure was eight per cent down on the previous 12 months.

The air traffic control figures are the latest evidence of the damage that the credit crisis has done to the airline industry. Planes have been grounded and routes cut as airlines struggle to cope with the fall in passenger numbers. Despite the evidence of a slowdown, the Department for Transport's projections for future passenger figures show a steady increase.

The latest official projections showing passenger numbers rising from 241 million passengers per year in 2007 to 465m in 2030. Increasing passenger numbers was a key plank of the Government's push for a third runway at Heathrow and the NATS figures led critics of the development to suggest Labour was ignoring the reality of air travel.

"The Government's forecasts on aviation growth are pie in the sky," said Theresa Villiers, the Tories' transport spokesman. "Labour is so hell-bent on building a third runway that it is completely blind to the facts. One can only assume that the recession will last so long and we will have so much free time that the Government will pay us to fly and stay out of mischief," said Richard George, climate spokesman for the Campaign for Better Transport.

The new Continental Airlines schedule, which is due to be implemented on 4th May, will see a reduction in capacity on flights to Mexico by 50% because of swine flu.  They will be introducing smaller jets on the same routes.

Continental Airlines decision to cut flights follows the decision by other major carriers worldwide to cut the schedules.  Canada’s two biggest carries and other carriers from Europe including the UK suspended services this week, as did Argentina and Cuba.

Mexico has been a popular tourist destination, in the luxury holiday end of the market as well as lower end holidays.  The swine flu epidemic is likely to have a devastating effect on the Mexico’s tourist industry.

As usual the holiday season brings increased prices in the form of surcharges from airlines especially to luxury holidays that are popular during the winter season as people escape to the sun.

But despite these increases there are still many offers around to destinations like the Maldives and Mauritius.  This is because resorts like Soneva Fushi are cutting their prices to attract visitors and so the overall price remains unaffected.

Other destinations which see a massive increase in prices at this time of year are those with a Christmas theme like Lapland.

According to a recent survey our experience at the airport is simply not good enough.   Airports were critisised by people travelling for luxury holidays, mid-range holiday and business according to research revealed by the World Travel Market exhibition.

Of 1,030 holidaymakers questioned about holidays in the summer of 2009, 31% felt that their airport experience had got worse.

Airports are endeavoring to improve our experience with investment in their infrastructures to help reduce security and check-in queues.  Heightened security measures at airports were blamed for the negative response from travellers.

Recent reports indicate that all inclusive luxury holidays have soared in popularity with some destinations experiencing an increase in bookings by as much as 230%. Passengers seem to be opting to travel further afield than Europe, with Mexico coming out on top.

One possible reason to explain the surge of bookings for all inclusive holidays among the British public is in response to the recent global economic crisis. Travellers are conscious of their budget and like the idea of knowing how much you are paying up front.  A DIY package you arrange yourself could have hidden extras, especially in you fly on a budget airline, making an all inclusive choice the sensible option.

The weak pound against many of the world’s currencies also makes the all inclusive option an affordable choice. After Mexico, Turkey and Malta seem to be the most popular destinations this year. Spain and Sharma El Sheikh are both seeing a rise in bookings by 102% and 94% respectively.

Recent plans to develop floating islands or facilities have been unveiled by the Maldives Government.

An agreement has been signed with the Netherland based company Docklands/Dutch Watervalley. They have developed plans for “amazing floating homes” consisting of star shaped, tiered islands with roof gardens, pools, beaches and even golf courses, taking luxury holidays to a new level.

The Government hope this floating island concept goes some way to address the constant threat of rising sea levels this tiny island paradise is facing. President Rasheed has also spearheaded the notion which has allowed the whole of the Maldives to go carbon neutral. Educational programmes and sea barriers have also been introduced to protect the Island and the surrounding area.

This is not a totally new concept; Bahrain, Canada, China, Hong Kong and Japan are among the many countries that have chosen artificial islands as an option to their lack of land problem.

With the summer school holidays fast approaching parents are tirelessly searching for the elusive bargain luxury holidays or family breaks in the UK.

Recent reports have revealed that family holidays in August are often inflated by up to 85% more than previous months. For example a holiday in the Algarve for a family of four in July would cost £2000 in comparison to the exact same holiday in August costing £3800. The price is almost doubled. The situation is the similar in the UK as a family holiday to Wales in July would cost £399 rising to £698 in August, an increase of 75%.

As a result there has been an increase of parents taking their children out of school in term time. Over 49%, when asked, admitted to doing this due to extortionate prices offered by the travel companies. In response Local Authorities have introduced a fine system in an attempt to prevent unlawful school absences. If the travel industry wants to bounce back from the recent recession perhaps they need to rethink family holiday prices in order to increase bookings.

In a recent national poll Australia was voted as the top luxury holidays destination in the world. Runners include New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand and USA.

From Aboriginal history through to British colonialism, this multicultural and diverse nation has a colourful past and present. Australia is the 6th largest country in the world but in compared to countries of a similar size it is sparsely populated.

Australia has a stunning coastline of over 50,000 km consisting of around 10,000 beaches which play an important part in the Australian lifestyle which is renowned for its surfing. From snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef to camping in the outback, visiting the Opera House in Sydney to the vibrant cultural city of Melbourne when you chose to visit Australia you won’t fail to find something for everyone.

Avis Rent A Car has been named the winner of the 2008 World Travel Award as the “World's Leading Business Car Rental Company.” The Awards acknowledge excellence in the international travel and tourism industry, and are based on input from travel experts from around the world.

“The World Travel Awards are regarded as the highest achievement in the travel industry,” said president and World Travel Awards founder, Graham Cooke. “Votes were cast by more than 160,000 experienced travel professionals around the world and to be recognized by these individuals demonstrates Avis' excellence and achievements."

Key criteria used in the selection of winners include business performance, customer and employee satisfaction, creativity, innovation and product expansion. “We are proud to accept this distinguished honour on behalf of the thousands of Avis employees who do whatever it takes for their customers,” said Tom Gartland, who is the executive vice president for sales and marketing at the Avis Budget Group. “Delivering award-winning service requires a team effort by employees both on the front lines and behind the scenes. Working together, 'We Try Harder' to deliver a customer experience that is second to none.”

Avis was the recipient of other awards as well, including “North America's Leading Car Hire” and “Leading Car Rental Company” in the Caribbean, at the regional ceremony for the World Travel Awards.

If you are researching luxury holidays with a view to taking a break in 2010, consider Soneva Fushi Maldives.  Set on one of the idyllic islands of the Maldives the resort offers luxury with intelligence being sensitively designed and managed with the environment in mind.

It has won countless travel and restaurant awards but also adds to its collection several for its commitment to the environment.  It received the President of Maldives’ Green Resort Award in 2000, 2005 and 2007.  It was winner of the Virtuoso’s Most Environmentally Friendly Resort Award in 2007 and PATA’s Gold Award in 2007.

BA and Iberia signed a long awaited agreement yesterday to merge the two airlines together to form the first International Airline Group of its kind.

The £5 billion merger has been under negotiations since 2008 and will create the world’s third biggest airline to be known as International Consolidated Airlines. Passengers however won’t notice a change as the two airlines will still operate under their original brands.

Expected growth potential is high with the dual hubs of London and Madrid. BA has a strong presence in North America and Iberia hold more routes to Latin America and the Caribbean putting the new airline in a good position to profit from the luxury holidays market and the business traveller.

The deal is hoped to be completed by the end of the year. The company expects to save £350m per annum, carry 62 million passengers to over 200 destinations worldwide.

The reduced demand for business travel has led BA to introduce several new routes focused exclusively on luxury holiday destinations.  There are six new routes planned for surplus planes including Las Vegas, Jamaica and the Maldives.  The new winter schedule will also include Sharm El-Sheikh and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

BA says that the routes have been chosen carefully and are predicted to be the destinations where demand will hold.

The major airline British Airways (BA) has recently announced a new schedule which is much more focused on tourist destinations.  There is a new service between Heathrow and Las Vegas.  The Maldives and Sharm El Sheik with be served three times a week from Gatwick along with several new Caribbean destinations.

It’s thought that the changes are a direct response to declining passenger numbers and will hopefully encourage more holiday makers and tour operators, possibly at the luxury holiday end of the market, to utilise the airline

British Airways staff are being balloted on whether to strike over proposals that have been put forward to change their working practices.  This comes just days after the airline announced its merger with the Spanish airline Iberia.

Not only could a potential strike and changes to the proposed working practices effect the deal between the two airlines, but it will certainly disrupt travellers from all sectors from business to luxury holidays, long haul to short European destinations possibly over the Christmas holiday season.  The ballot closes on 14th December.

British Airways cabin crew is planning a 12 day strike over the Christmas period.  BA could face the loss of up to £30 million a day because of the strike which will have a dramatic impact on travellers plans over the festive season affecting those taking luxury holidays as well as mid-range travellers.

The strike will add to the pressure already on the airline because of the recession who posted record losses last financial year.

If the strike goes ahead as planned over a million passengers could face travel disruption and passengers could potentially be left stranded over Christmas.

British Airways claims South Africa's Cape Town and Johannesburg are set to be the top long haul destinations for 2009.

The airline revealed the news in its predicted top ten longhaul destinations for 2009 claiming the impact of the British Lions Tour as well as the strength of the pound against the rand will make South Africa the most popular destination.

British Airways' head of UK & Ireland sales, Richard Tams, said: "It's not all doom and gloom for travel in the current economic climate as destinations such as Dubai and the Caribbean Islands of St Kitts and St Lucia continue to experience growth and investment, so we anticipate greater numbers of customers wanting to travel there.

"South Africa will be popular thanks to the relative strength of the pound against the rand and the upcoming British Lions tour." "Destinations such as New York will remain firm favourites with both business and leisure travellers despite the economic downturn as savvy flyers know there are still bargains to be had and the Far East and Australasia continue to draw people looking for real adventure experiences."

The top 10 are:

1. Cape Town
2. Johannesburg (for the British Lions tour)
3. Dubai
4. San Francisco
5. New York
6. Hong Kong
7. St Kitts
8. St Lucia
9. Sydney
10. Shanghai
    

If you fancy a luxury holiday in South Africa then look at the fabulous holidays that OnlyExclusiveTravel are offering for 2009.

BAA has been ordered to sell Gatwick and Stansted airports because of its history of poor service to passengers and airlines. The Competition Commission said that smashing BAA's near-monopoly over London's airports was the best way of forcing them to "meet more effectively" the needs of travellers.

BAA, which has owned Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted since privatisation in 1986, has already put Gatwick on the market for an estimated £1.8 billion. But the requirement to auction Stansted is a heavy blow. Its only comfort is it gets to keep Heathrow.

Gatwick and Stansted will have to be sold to separate buyers to maximise competition between London's three main airports, which between them account for 90 per cent of flights coming in and out of the capital. Aviation experts said Stansted, where an inquiry into a second runway is due to open in April, could fetch around £1.3 billion. Several firms are said to be interested in buying Gatwick, which handles around 35 million passengers a year.

There is also likely to be huge interest in Stansted, Europe's leading budget hub, which is used by around 24 million passengers a year. BAA said it rejected the need to sell Stansted and that it could hold back the airport's expansion.

Bank customers are being forced to disclose their travel plans to avoid having their debit and credit cards frozen in a crackdown on fraud. Under a "zero-tolerance" policy taken by some banks, accounts are frozen the moment a card transaction is attempted in another country unless advance notice has been given.

The move is designed to prevent the heavy losses some banks are incurring due to card cloning, when a counterfeit card is created using details stolen from a genuine card. Thousands of pounds' worth of payments can be made to foreign retailers on fake cards before the owner of the original card checks their bank statement. However, some customers have expressed frustration that under the new scheme, having been given no prior warning, they can find themselves unable to pay bills in shops and restaurants after arriving in a foreign country.

More than 40 per cent of losses on cards - £301 million in the first six months of last year - came through fraud overseas. Fraud is rising in most countries while it falls in Britain thanks to the chip-and-pin system making it more difficult for criminals to use cards successfully.

Luxury Holiday makers should contact their bank with their travel plans before they depart to their luxury holiday destination.

The Barbados government is forecasting a 10% drop in the number of visitors.  The impact is being felt across the nation’s tourism industry which is popular with luxury holiday makers.  A number of flights to the island have been cancelled because of reduced demand.

This is a very worrying trend for Barbados whose economy relies heavily on tourism.  Around one in ten local people are employed in the tourist industry and the dip in visitor numbers could have a very detrimental impact on the country.

It has been reported that the foreign travel plans of all Britons are to be collated and then stored on a government data base for up to ten years.  These records will include information on those who are traveling on business or for pleasure whether on luxury holidays or simply on a family break.

The contact information, itineraries and credit card details will be collected for all 250million rail, air and ferry journeys into and out of Britain each year.

Ministers claim the move will help 'protect borders' and fight crime and terrorism.

A sickening bomb attack near a Cairo bazaar, popular for souvenir shopping with tourists, threatens to cast a shadow over Egypt’s tourist industry.  The industry has already been severely damaged by the worldwide economic downturn and is now likely to be even more threatened because of the latest bomb.  Analysts have said that the attack, which killed a teenager from France did not bear the hallmarks of an organized militant group but was more likely to have been masterminded by a isolated Islamist.

Tourist arrivals in the Nile Valley and the Red Sea are down 30 to 50 percent so far this year after visitor numbers soared by more than 15 percent in 2008 to a record 12.8 million.

Egypt’s Tourism Minister was keen to point out that the attack was an isolated one.  Travellers are advised to plan their trips carefully whether traveling independently or with a recognized tour operator.  These attacks are indiscriminate and can affect back packers, business travelers and those on luxury holidays.  It is essential to check the latest travel advice on the Foreign Office Website. 

Travel agents are reporting that luxury holiday booking are up as the economy shows signs of a slight recovery.

The figures suggest that booking at the top end of the market to resorts like Le Touessrok Mauritius are up although it’s undoubtedly been a tough year so far.

The resort hotels in Mauritius appeal to holiday makers seeking sun and sand, golfers looking for top quality courses and also couples who want to get married in an exotic location.  It is a truely wonderful location to visit whatever your purpose.

British Airways has announced the ten destinations that it predicts will be the most popular amongst travellers in 2010.

The list contained long haul destinations like the Maldives, Delhi and the Dominican Republic.  Other popular destinations will include South Africa which will be hosting the Fifa World Cup next summer.  Some short haul destinations were also predicted to see a rise in popularity including Stockholm, Dubrovnik and Istanbul.

The popularity of the Maldives is no surprise as it remains popular for luxury holidays with spa resorts like Soneva Fushi providing a wonderfully relaxing opportunity for holiday makers to indulge themselves.  British Airways has also added new services to the Maldives recently making the island nation more accessible.

British Airways recently launched their newly revamped First Class cabin on its Boeing 777 and 747 aircrafts.

The main aim of the airline is to reinvigorate its dated first class service. It has been 10 years since Kelly Hoppen and Terence Conran styled the present first cabin and understandably BA now feel they are lagging behind in the luxury stakes when compared to competing airlines.

BA spokeswoman Amanda Allen said “You have to keep investing in your product. It’s about being ready when the economic downfall starts to lift”. The airline has invested £100 million on its new design in order to create an exclusive brand with emphasis on luxury.

British Airways are hoping to attract passengers taking luxury holidays and business travellers who demand quality and style. From innovative seat controls to a 15” flight screen, a leather bound desk to electronic blinds, designers have thought of everything. Mark Hassell, BA’s Head of Customer Experience says that “we have created an intimate private jet experience on board”, “focussing on simplicity and quality”.

With the BA strikes looking set to go ahead, many passengers are worrying about the holidays they have booked or the business trips that are planned. Optimistically there is some good news for some but others are going to feel the brunt of this ongoing strike action.

Passengers booked on long haul flights to luxury holidays destinations such as, The Maldives, Orlando and Egypt from Gatwick Airport will see little disturbance. British Airways have announced that 60% of long distance flights will not face disruption. Not such good news for short haul services, mainly to Europe. BA say only 30% of these flights will not be affected during the strike period.

Airline staff will be striking over plans for a pay freeze and for intended job cuts. With the travel industry just emerging from a recession, now is not really an ideal time for British Airways staff to take industrial action. The management accuse “union bosses of trying to destroy the airline”.

This week the Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the strike as “unjustified and deplorable”. He went on to add “it’s not in the country’s interest; it is not in the workers interest and it certainly not in the nations interest. I hope this strike will be called off”.

It has been announced by the Minister of Civil Aviation, that there are plans for British Airways to start flights to the Maldives during the last week in October 2009. 

The announcement was made during a ceremony during which MOUs on the joint air service agreement were signed by the Maldives and the UK.  The agreement amends that which was signed in 1996 and designates British Airways as the authorized carrier on this route.

This agreement will open up further flights to the islands and improve the access to this luxury holiday paradise and in turn benefit holiday resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives which is one of many successful destinations here.

The worsening economic conditions will not mean that Britons to take fewer holidays this year, according to research by the UK's leading travel operator.

TUI Travel, which owns Thomson and First Choice, revealed that the same number of people plan to take a foreign holiday in 2009 as last year, with the vast majority opting for a package trip – whether at the low end or luxury holidays.  It added that the number of bookings have picked up over the past few weeks.
 
It said that destinations outside the Eurozone, such as Turkey and Egypt, were proving particularly popular, while all-inclusive holidays were also selling well, with bookings significantly up on last year.

The report comes despite the price of holidays rising by an average of 11 per cent in 2009, compared with last year. Travel companies have significantly reduced the number of holidays available this year in an attempt to avoid having to heavily discount trips that are not sold.

More Britons will head for holidays in Turkey, Egypt and Morocco during 2009 because the weak pound has made Europe too expensive, according to currency exchange firms and travel industry leaders.

The numbers heading to what has been dubbed the 'Costa del Kasbah' are expected to rise following sterling's slump against the euro, which has pushed up the cost of a break in such traditional destinations as Tenerife or the Algarve by as much as 25%.

Abta said demand for travel to Egypt rose 38 per cent in 2008, while Turkey was up 32 per cent, a pattern expected to continue this year. While the pound has weakened against most currencies, the high cost of travel, accommodation and everyday expenses in the likes of Spain, Cyprus and France mean that Turkey, Egypt and Morocco still offer better value for money.

The Co-operative Travel company said that, while pound sterling prices for 2009 package holidays have risen by an average of 18 per cent over the past year, a typical package holiday to the leading Turkish destination of Dalman had gone up 27 per cent compared to a rise of just three per cent for an equivalent holiday in Majorca. Holiday airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair have increased flights to Morocco and Turkey in the past 18 months.

Only Exclusive Travel offers a range of luxury holiday destinations that are outside the 'euro zone'.

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Last month the Israeli model Bar Refaeli, who famously dates actor Leonardo DiCaprio, could be found basking in the sunshine of Canouan Island whilst promoting her “perfect” bikini.

The model was fronting an advertising campaign for the bikini which has been designed in conjunction with the Hurley swimwear brand.

Whilst still relatively undiscovered Canouan Island is situated in the heart of the Grenadines and attracts the rich and famous to its crystal clear waters and brilliantly white sandy beaches. One of the most prestigious resorts here, surrounded by the world's largest coral reef, is the Raffles Resort Canouan Island.

Set on South Africa’s Cape Peninsula, Cape Town is a lively and sophisticated city.  It lies in the shadow of Table Mountain and is thought of as one of the most beautiful regions in South Africa.

The peninsula is also home to the Garden Route and lies between Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Signal Point and the Atlantic Ocean. The Garden Route offers a range of beautiful mountains, stunning coastline and lush forests, from Mossel Bay’s industrial centre, through Knysna’s forests and lagoons to Plettenberg Bay’s sandy beaches.

The cosmopolitan city centre of Cape Town has great shopping and night life.  The Victoria and Alfred waterfront is great for shopping and dining and also has many markets and museums.  The restaurants in Cape Town reflect the multi-cultural heritage of South Africa and range from fast food outlets to sophisticated and elegant restaurants.

 With the start of the World Cup next month all eyes are on South Africa, the host nation. Luxury holidays destination of Cape Town is preparing itself for the influx of visitors it will be receiving.

Cape Town is located on the Western Cape of South Africa. It has played an important role in South Africa’s history having been occupied by both the Dutch and the British. It is home to some of the leaders of the anti-apartheid movement, most notably Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned on Robben Island which visitors can take a boat out to visit.

With its pleasant climate, Cape Town is one of the world top holiday destinations. Visit the beautiful beaches, shop at the famous Waterside complex, take a cable car to the top of the spectacular Table Mountain or take a tour of the local vineyards to see why Cape Town is a renowned wine producer. This cosmopolitan city has a wealth of sights to satisfy anyone.

In today’s current economic climate everyone is feeling the pinch. If luxury holidays are out of your price range how about a caravan holiday which is an affordable and cost effective option.

Caravans in the past have had a bad press but there are many remarkable caravan homes on the market to both buy and rent offering impressive accommodation. A touring caravan allows you to travel and visit different destinations in a short period of time. Holiday parks are an alternative option providing affordable option with a high level of comfort.

Holiday parks nowadays provide an array of amenities from shops to swimming pools, play areas to organised activities. Caravans are a popular choice for families as they provide a safe and relaxing environment for families to enjoy their holiday.

A devastating earthquake has struck L'Aquila and the surrounding region in Central Italy this morning.  The area is close to the capital Rome.  Initial reports suggest that 40 people have been killed.

Five children are thought to be among the dead and many remain unaccounted for as a massive search for victims who may remain trapped under the rubble started. 
 
The 6.3-magnitude quake struck at 0330 (0130 GMT) close to L'Aquila city, 95km (60 miles) north-east of Rome.
 
A civil protection official said 3,000 to 10,000 buildings in the medieval city may have been damaged.
 
And as many as 50,000 people are feared to have been made homeless.

Italy lies on two fault lines and has a history of being struck by powerful earthquakes more commonly in the south of the country.

If you are planning a trip to Central Italy, for whatever purpose whether for a luxury holiday, business or back-packing, you should seek the advice of your travel agent, tour operator or the foreign office before traveling.  There is likely to be considerable disruption to this region for sometime.

Spain, the once top holidaying hot spot of the British, is now seen as being “too English”. More and more Brits seem to be moving away from the more traditional destinations and opting for luxury holidays in exotic locations.

With the advent of cheaper competing airlines, offering new and exciting routes, to once inaccessible locations, British holidaymakers are no longer satisfied with the traditional English pastime of lying on a beach. This new breed of exotic traveller want to experience other cultures and visit historical sites they had only read about.

Luxury holidays are different to different people. Travelling abroad to unknown places can be daunting. Whether it’s a family holiday to remember, a wedding on sandy beach or romantic trip with a loved one, we all want it to be perfect. With the introduction of tailor-made itinerates you can have a vacation customised to suit your individual needs and budget.

 Whether you want a cheap and cheerful break or an all inclusive 5 star vacation, you can be sure to find something to suit your needs. The choices are endless. So even in the current economic climate, you’re once pipedream holiday can become a reality!

Honeymooning couples are demanding more from their post wedding breaks and trends are changing according to experts in the industry.

Rachel Southwood, director of Wedding Ideas Magazine, was quoted in a recent article predicting that 2010 will be the year when couple choose romantic city break over exotic beach honeymoons.  Trends see couples economising and taking minimoon city breaks whilst saving for a big holiday to be taken a few years after their wedding.

Despite this general prediction she went on to say that destinations providing luxury holidays like Mauritius and the Maldives will continue to be popular with honeymooning couples.  Her comments indicate that the spa resorts like, Soneva Fushi Maldives, will continue in popularity.

Reports are suggesting that average hotel prices have fallen by an average of 17% since the beginning of the global financial crisis.  This means the travellers have been able to snap up luxury holiday bargains and the trend seems likely to continue into the Christmas holiday season and many offers are likely to still be available for this period.

For example, Only Exclusive Travel currently has offers to resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives.

These sorts of deals represent an opportunity for people to upgrade to a luxury holiday they might not previously have been able to afford.  City hotels are also offering deals because the business travel market has also been hit hard during the recession.

Countries like the Maldives, popular for luxury holidays, but perilously at risk from climate change had been hoping for a big commitment from larger countries on climate change in Copenhagen in December.

Contributing nations had been given until 31st January to formally back the accord.  China, the US, the 27 nations in the European Union, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Japan and India have signed up to the Copenhagen accord.  The accord places actual numerical figures on the goals for the worst offenders with the highest levels of emissions from greenhouse gases.

The conference in Copenhagen was plagued by arguments and walkouts between the industrialised nations and those of the developing world meaning that little progress was made although many think the agreements made here are an important first step.
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The issue of climate change is most significant to countries like the Maldives who are threatened by rising sea levels.  The government of the Maldives is committed to policies and initiatives aimed at addressing the effects of climate change.  Here resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives, whose motto is “intelligent luxury” are equally committed with many initiative which promote and protect the local environment and economy.

The Maldives are committed to addressing the issue of climate change and have pledged to become carbon neutral within the next 10 years.  This commitment is being pursued by the nation as a whole and particularly the luxury holiday industry, on which the country is so reliant.  Resorts like Soneva Fushi are fully committed to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

One of the ways in which the country aims to deal with this issue is through the use of fertilizer.  They are using coconut shells to produce a charcoal based fertilizer, “biochar”.  The Maldives have joined with a UK based company called Carbon Gold in the project.

The Maldives President has said that, “Biochar has a crucial role in helping us achieve carbon neutral status as well as providing an economic and environmental boost to our people”.

The fertilizer works by improving soil fertility and locks up its carbon content for many years after it is ploughed into the soil.

The Copenhagen conference on climate change opens today as officials from around the world gather to discuss the effects of global warming and how we can arrest future damage to our planet.

The conference will be attended by President Barack Obama and representatives from 192 world governments.  Their aim is to develop an international strategy to combat global warming.

The conference will also be attended by experts on the subject like Professors Mike Urban and Mark Cowell who are representatives from the Association of American Geographers.

“There are areas of the world, such as the Maldives, that could completely be wiped out with rising water levels and others areas that are very close to drought conditions,” Urban said. “I think it’s very important that we keep in mind that certain populations are going to be more susceptible.”

The Maldives government has been at the forefront of a campaign to arrest the effects of climate change with their pledge to become carbon neutral.  Drives have been seen throughout the nation to support this pledge, even in the luxury holidays industry which is the nations major economy.  Here, resorts like Soneva Fushi have introduced many green initiatives to help address the issue.  Soneva Fushi is known as a resort which offers intelligent luxury.

Last year was a difficult one for the travel industry with many sectors struggling, airlines, luxury holidays, hotels etc and some taking significant financial losses.  However, there was one area which experienced significant growth and that’s cruises.

The number of passengers taking cruise holidays grew last year reaching 13.4 million in 2009 which represents a growth of 3% on the previous year.   Last year saw the launch of 14 new ships and this year it is expected that a further 11 ships will be completed and launch.

The new ships come from diverse locations from Dubai to Norway.  Notably China is concentrating its efforts on growing its cruise industry and are hoping that 600,000 passengers will visit their sea ports by the end of the year.   China are promoting the cruise industry by streamlining customs procedures and allowing ships flying foreign flags to call in at more than one port on a single itinerary.

The tropical island of the Maldives provides the opportunity for tourists to indulge a variety of exotic cuisines. Cooking is heavily influenced by Indian and Sri Lankan styles. Locals, however, have developed a fusion of their own unique flavours making use of fresh local produce.

The best place to sample home cuisine is in the cafes where the locals hangout. Popular dishes include Gulha or fish balls and Garudhya, a spiced tuna soup. As expected from an island community there is an abundance of juicy seafood and fresh fish, such as tuna, barracuda and trevallies on offer. Local available fruit includes mangoes, watermelon and papayas. With the influx of tourists and the development of five star resorts, such as Soneva Fushi, Maldivian dishes have certainly been influences by a diverse international cuisine.

Whether you are enjoying lunch on a deserted sandy beach or a candlelight dinner watching the sunset, you can be sure that the gourmet delights of this luxurious holiday paradise will be one of the highlights of your stay.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterrean Sea. Close to Syria and Turkey this beautiful and stunning island is steeped in history. Also known as the island of Aphrodite or love it makes for the perfect honeymoon destination.

Cyprus is located where east meets west. From luxury holidays to budget vacations this breathtaking island has so much to offer. Admire the stunning and exquisite roman architecture and Byzantine art. Visit the wealth of top quality golf courses which Cyprus is renowned for or dive in the tranquil waters. Visit secluded coves; enjoy the nightlife and sample the local Cypriot cuisine which is a delightful mix of Greek food with Middle Eastern flavours.

With hot dry summers and a mild warm winters the climate in Cyprus makes it the perfect all year round holiday destination. This island might be small in size but it has a big personality, colourful history and with a wealth of activities on offer, there is something for everyone.
 

Demand for all-inclusive and self-catering holidays has risen sharply as people look to avoid extra expenses on their holidays this year. Booking enquiries for all-inclusive holidays were 17 per cent higher in the five days to January 1 compared to the same period last year, according to Travelsupermarket.com.

Searches for self-catering breaks were up by 14 per cent. It comes at the start of the New Year, at time when holiday firms traditionally experience the highest number of bookings of the year. All-inclusive deals, where hotel food and drink is free, were popularised by the rise of the package holiday in the 1970s but waned after becoming associated with resorts on the Costa del Sol.

Bob Atkinson, from Travelsupermarket.com, said: "Despite the economy there is no evidence that people are going without their holidays but they are instead looking for better value destinations or shortening their trips - perhaps seeking 10 days rather than a whole fortnight."

Travelling for anyone is an arduous task but for the disabled or passengers with reduced mobility the whole process of travelling through an airport and taking a flight can be daunting.

In 2008 new European laws were implemented which made it the responsibility of the airports to ensure that disabled and reduced mobility passengers were adequately catered for and their needs addressed offering assistance from check-in through to the passenger boarding the plane.

Whether the passengers are going on luxury holidays or travelling on a budget airline or they are able bodied or disabled everyone in their own right should receive equal treatment.

The CAA has called for travel companies to improve information they pass onto to passengers in relation to what assistance they are entitled to at the airport. Adequate signage and guidance should be made available and displayed at the airport. The key, however, is for greater awareness among staff and improved training so they are enabling to assist passengers with a range of disabilities allowing all travellers to enjoy their holiday from beginning to end.

It has been noticed that the adverse weather conditions in the UK over the last few days have boosted traffic to travel websites like Only Exclusive Travel.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at travelsupermarket.com told Times Online: “We have noticed three main trends over the last 24 hours: continued above average hotel searches, particularly in the London, Kent, Sussex and Surrey areas; an increase of 15 per cent in UK car hire searches in the south east and east of England; an increase of 36 per cent in domestic and short haul European flight searches - this follows widespread disruption at many UK airports yesterday and today.”

Flights search engine Skyscanner reports its third busiest day for traffic this year. Rob Innes, Head of Marketing said: "The disruption to flights caused by the heavy snowfalls has led to a massive increase in users searching for alternative flights."

Yesterday saw the celebration of  International Mother Language Day around the world. It was introduced to help promote the preservation of languages and to develop a fuller awareness to cultural traditions.

The official language of the Maldives is Dhiveni. It is spoken by over 350,000 people in this destination popular for luxury holidays. Throughout time it has been moulded by English, Portuguese, French, Hindi and Arabic.

The official writing system of the Maldives is known as Thaana. It is heavily influenced by the Arabic alphabet and is written from right to left.

With the spread of English, as the main language used in education and technology, the Dhiveni language looks under threat of extinction. It is days, such as the International Mother Language Day, which help keep this rich language alive.

The Maldives, popular for luxury holidays, and famed for their azure waters and pristine beaches are one of the best places to dive and snorkel in the world.  If you are fortunate enough to be staying here, in a resort spa like Soneva Fushi, what better way to spend your time than by exploring the underwater beauty?

The Maldives has an abundance of underwater life and one of the highest visibility levels in the world.  You can often see for up to 50 metres underwater and the sea temperature is warm all year round.

The Maldives also has a number of professional diving schools and information about these can be obtained prior to travelling or from your resort.  Most of the resorts are staffed by multi-lingual instructors and cater for beginners as well as advanced divers.

When visiting the Far East one of the most popular tourist destinations at the moment is Dubai. This fascinating place is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi being the largest.

Located on the Arabian Gulf this spectacular city is a fine example of east meets west. Built on the oil industry, this global city is renowned for its recent spate in construction, most notably the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Dubai is increasingly becoming fashionable with tourists for its exclusive shopping malls, desert terrain, sports facilities, especially golf and its reputation for being one of the top luxury holidays destinations in the world. With its dry, warm climate sunny Dubai makes for an all year long holiday hotspot.

EasyJet has rebelled against the economic downturn with the launch of four new routes from Gatwick to Cyprus, Italy, Croatia and Greece. The new services to Larnaca will start at the end of March next year, while flights to Naples, Dubrovnik and Santorini will begin in May.

Last week, BAA announced that passenger numbers at Gatwick in November were down 13.5 per cent on the same month last year, but easyJet still sees potential growth for the Uk's second biggest airport. “EasyJet has grown dramatically at Gatwick over the last few years and this will further strengthen our position at Gatwick, which is our biggest single airport base,” said David Osborne, easyJet's regional general manager for the UK.

• Several other airlines are planning to expand further during the ongoing financial crisis;
  
• CityJet is to begin flights from London City and Amsterdam from January 5.
  
• VLM is to run daily flights from London City to Rotterdam and to Eindhoven from January 12.
  
• Kingfisher Airways has announced that it will begin services from Heathrow to Mumbai from January 5. The service will be the second international route operated by the airline after the launch of the Heathrow to Bangalore flights in September this year.
  
• Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline, has announced the launch of a new flight between Gatwick and Newquay, which will begin on February 15. 
• The Scandinavian low-cost carrier, Norwegian Air Shuttle will launch new twice-daily services between Gatwick and Copenhagen from March 29.
  
• Virgin Atlantic is expanding its services from Manchester to Barbados and Orlando, and from Gatwick to Montego Bay from May 2.
  
• Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com) has launched a number of connecting flights from Doha to the Seychelles, for passengers arriving on flights from Britain.

We all love to take holidays but increasingly people are becoming aware of the impact of mass tourism on the environment and are looking for holidays which satisfy their desire for green travel.

EC3 Global is an independent environmental group focused on the travel industry which certifies hotels according to their efforts towards sustainable tourism.  It has recently given an award to the Banyan Tree resort in the Maldives because of initiatives which have been introduced to protect the environment.

The island nation of the Maldives is situated off the coast of India and, whilst best known for luxury holidays, it is incredible vulnerable to the effects of global warming and rising sea levels.  This is why resorts in this country particularly have got behind the governments commitment to carbon neutrality.  Others include Soneva Fushi Maldives, which is marketed on the premise of offering intelligent luxury.

EC3 Global contributes funding to hotels to help them to become greener and has helped over 1,000 hotel operators worldwide.

Emirates won three accolades at the Globe Travel Awards last night (27 January), where it was named the leading airline flying to the Middle East and Asia, Africa and Australasia regions.

The carrier beat off competition from a number of other major airlines to pick up the awards, including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and South African Airways.

British Airways also enjoyed success at the awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, winning the 'innovation in travel' and 'best airline to Europe' honours.

Virgin Atlantic was named the favourite airline in the consumer section of the Globe Travel Awards, while Eurostar picked up the 'best rail operator' accolade.

Australia won the award for the best tourist board and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida was announced as the best theme park.

Airline passengers could see a relaxation the 100ml limit on liquids they can take on board aircraft. Within the past few weeks the International Air Transport Association, which represents 230 airlines, said it hoped that the next generation of scanners could be introduced into airports across the world.

For the past two years passengers have had to display their toiletries in a clear plastic bag before being allowed through security. Travellers have repeatedly fallen foul of the 100 ml limit and have been forced to surrender an array of liquids, including expensive perfume and aftershave. Passengers were banned from taking liquids on board in the immediate aftermath of an alleged plot to bring down transatlantic airlines in August 2006.

The 100 ml limit was introduced two months later as a concession to passengers following security advice on how much liquid would be needed to make a viable explosive device. Despite this relaxation, clearing airport security can be time consuming.

Several companies are working on technology to distinguish between benign and potentially dangerous liquids. Smiths Detection, a company at the forefront of aviation security, has started trials of its latest scanners. But several hurdles have to be cleared before the machinery can be used, including laboratory testing. Further trials would have to take place at an airport and finally approval from the European Union would have to be secured.

The Department for Transport hopes that the restrictions could be lifted once the technology is in place.

 The United Nations this week announced that the environmentally friendly tropical island of the Maldives will receive a $1.1m grant to help decrease the hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) levels.

This is another step in the Maldives plan to become the first carbon neutral country in the world by 2019. Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan said “Our economy is totally dependent on imported fuels, but we have absolutely no control over oil prices. We want to break our dependence using our own natural resources: sun wind and waves”.

Theluxury holidays destination of the Maldives is committed to reduce carbon emissions. Resorts on the island, such as Soneva Fushi, are making every effort to incorporate environmental projects and use the islands natural resources in their day to day running.

With the prolonged spell of wintry weather currently spreading throughout the UK it is only natural that we dream of escaping to the sunshine.

Where better to go than to the uniquely beautiful and exotic islands of the Maldives.  The country is made up of 1,190 coral islands which sit in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka.  The islands are not all inhabited and those which are have become popular for luxury holidays.  The islands have all year round sunshine and a casual and relaxed atmosphere.  It’s best described by the phrase “no shoes and no newspapers”.  It truly is one of the best places in the world to completely unwind and relax.

The islands are influenced by a variety of different cultures.   The traditional music and dance has an African feel but this is mixed with a strong South Asian influence which is particularly evident in the local food.

To sample a taste of paradise, seclusion and pure luxury you can’t beat the resort of Soneva Fushi.

The European Commission has confirmed that it will assist the island nation of the Maldives, popular with luxury holidays but threatened by climate change, by setting up a Climate Change Trust Fund of 6.5 million Euros.  The fund will help the Maldives to fund projects which will help it to adapt to the changes that climate change will bring.

The fund will be managed by the World Bank.  It will be supported by contributions form the European Commission and will focus on promoting and developing low carbon initiatives like those already in place at the luxury resort of Soneva Fushi.  The islands rely heavily on the tourism industry which is firmly behind the commitment to carbon neutrality. 

The emphasis of the fund will be on helping the Maldives to adapt by attempting to support the islands to build a climate resilient economy.

The Eastern & Oriental Express provides a year round scheduled service through the ever-changing countryside of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand

The small island republic of Singapore is only 633 square kilometres and boasts the world's busiest port and an airport served by over 50 of the world's major airlines. Malaysia posses a rich cultural heritage and can be divided into six major regions: Central (Kuala Lumpur), Northern (Penang), East, Southern and finally the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Thailand stretches 1860 km north to south, giving it one of the most diverse climates in South East Asia and has land borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

The majesty and splendour of the Eastern and Oriental Express Train, offers comfortable and elegant compartments, delicious cuisine and superb service, combined with the adventure of a journey through the heart of Asia, is a truly unique way to experience the full wonder of this remarkable region. Friendly and courteous service is the hallmark of a journey on the Eastern & Oriental Express, from the moment you are welcomed aboard.

A quarter of a mile in length, the air-conditioned gleaming green and cream carriages evoke the great age of luxury train travel and are a world of opulence and fine craftsmanship. The E&O accommodates 132 passengers in 66 air-conditioned cabins, all furnished with beautiful fabrics, fine linens and soft towels, and a friendly room service is available 24 hours a day.

If you would like to know more about this unique and fabulous luxury holiday then see the OnlyExlusiveTravel website for more details.

The co-founder of the Six Senses Resorts, Eva Shivdasini, discussed in a recent interview the philosophy of the group at its inception and how they have remained true to it ever since as the group has grown and developed.  The philosophy has always been to provide world class luxury holidays but at the same time to respect the environment and promote conservation issues – luxury with intelligence is their moto.

The Six Senses Resorts are renowned for being one of the most sympathetically designed in the world always taking into account and being respectful of their surroundings.

One of the best examples of this is Soneva Fushi Maldives which incorporates luxury with the green ethos perfectly – in fact the resort has won awards for doing so.

The luxury holidays destination of Seychelles is comprised of 115 islands scattered off the coast of Africa. It is located in the Indian Ocean with its closest neighbours being Zanzibar and Mauritius.

Seychelles is a melting pot of cultures which is reflected not only in the art and music but also in the local cuisine. British and French influences still play a large part in the Seychelles culture reflecting when the island was governed by the two countries.

When you arrive in Seychelles, you will be stunned by this tropical islands breathtaking beauty. Whether you are holidaying with your family, having a relaxing break or on your honeymoon there is so much to experience on this island paradise. From water sports such as, snorkelling, diving and wind surfing through to visiting many of the local heritage sites and national parks, there is something for everyone.

If it’s a beach holiday you are looking for then this beautiful island is renowned for its white sandy beaches and warm waters. Stay in one of the many guest houses or luxury hotels where you can sample the local hospitality and cuisine at its best. With its yearlong tropical climate, anytime is the best time to visit the Seychelles.

The Six Senses resorts of Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili are already well known for their symbiotic relationship with their local communities and the environment.  Their ethos has always been to offer luxury holidays which promote organic and sustainable local resources.  But they announced earlier this month that they are going to be offering guest the opportunity to join in with various special community projects. 

The way it works is this – the resorts will offer 14 complimentary nights to guests who have booked and paid for a 14 night stay.  In return the guests have to agree to take part in the community work which would amount to 1 day in each week.  There are a variety of projects to take part in including education, health, farming etc. 

Up to 100 flights in and out of Gatwick were delayed this morning due to ice on the runway. The runway was shut shortly before six this morning and hundreds of passengers are still facing cancellations, delays or diversions as the airport continued to try to de-ice the runway and taxi stands. 

A spokeswoman for BAA blamed "exceptional weather conditions" for the delays. "Gatwick Airport apologises for any disruption this may have to passengers' travel plans today and we are working closely with our airline and other business partners to minimise the impact and reopen the runway as soon as it is safe to do so." She confirmed that a number of flights have been diverted to other airports including Heathrow and Stansted, added that passengers travelling to or from Gatwick today are advised to allow extra time for their journey to the airport.

Any luxury holiday makers, who are travelling from Gatwick today, are advised to check-in as normal and are advised to contact their airline for the latest flight information.

With the Easter school holidays fast approaching, travel agents are reporting that bookings for family vacations are up on this time last year.

Maybe it’s in response to the harsh cold winter or the eventual emergence from the credit crunch which has spurred parents to take their main family holiday in April. Whether it’s a family safari in South Africa, skiing in Switzerland or snorkelling in the Maldives, luxury holidays with a difference have certainly become more popular.

 Holidays are an essential ingredient to family life. They allow everyone to bond and spend quality time together. Visiting interesting places and trying out new experiences broadens not only the adults but the children’s horizons.

Whether it’s a short break or an exotic vacation more parents are seeing family holidays as a high priority. The key is too pick a child friendly destination which has fun things to do for both parents and children creating memories that will last a lifetime.

We would all love to go on luxury holidays but when you have a family in tow, you have to be realistic, things can get pricey. However, holidaying on a budget doesn’t have to be off putting, it is just a different way of planning a vacation.

The secret to a great family holiday is fun! If the children are happy, so are the parents and vice versa. Family holidays are an essential ingredient to a balanced family life. It is a good time to sit back and relax, catch up with each other. Quality time with the children is essential, especially if you are working parents.

The key is to plan a holiday within your financial means and be prepared for the unexpected. Flexibility is paramount for a stress free family holiday. Make sure you do your research and get to know the area you are travelling to and ensure you are all in agreement on your planned destination.

 Remember it doesn’t matter if you take a trip to Australia or have a weekend away in the UK, it is not the amount of money you spend, the most important time is “family time”. It is the time you have with the family that counts, creating priceless memories.

As a result of the recent global economic crisis the internet is awash with discounted luxury holidays and bargain first class travel seats.

Seats at the front of the aircraft are the money makers for the airlines. Economy travel basically just pay for the overheads of the flight. Profits are to be made in first class travel. When the seats are not filled the airlines suffer financially.

The major airlines such as BA and Delta, are trying to tempt business travellers by improving the quality of their first class and business cabins. They have installed high tech gadgets, such as, state of the art entertainment systems, showers and lay flat beds. Travel expert Peter Yesavich sums it up when he said “every time airlines go in for this high-end luxury service, it’s a sign that things are getting overheated”.

Joining the many other luxury holiday resorts on the Maldives like Soneva Fushi, a new resort has opened with a major difference to the others.  It rises directly out of the sea with all of its accommodation and facilities in building which rest on stilts placed in the ocean floor.  InOcean Villas are remarkably over a kilometer from the nearest land.

As sea levels continue to rise and coastal erosion continues to threaten these low lying islands, could this provide a glimpse into what the future might be like for this island nation?

AIRLINES have followed retailers by slashing prices early in an attempt to boost revenue after a sharp downturn in trade. British Airways, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic are among carriers cutting up to 25 % from fares.

The seat sale is an annual event to try to fill aircraft in the traditionally quiet post-festive period. However, some observers said the price war might be fiercer than in previous years because traffic on some routes had fallen by 10 %. Virgin Atlantic claimed fares on some long-haul routes were as low as when it launched 25 years ago. It is seeking to undercut BA by offering flights for £1 less than its rival.

The reductions come after the two airlines cut their fuel surcharges by one third last week in the wake of falls in oil prices. BA has cut prices by up to a quarter on more than 75 routes - well over a third of the 184 destinations served. BA's offers include London-New York return flights for £259, a saving of £78. Virgin's fare is £258. Other savings include Delhi from £359 (saving £121), Mumbai from £329 (saving £91) and Kolkata from £359 (saving £71). Emirates has lopped a fifth of its flights, with a return from London to Dubai now £326, Bangkok £496, Beijing £390 and Hong Kong £412.

Price cuts will benefit luxury holiday makers who can reach their luxury holiday destinations for less.

Fishing is the mainstay of traditional island life in the Maldives. It insists that the only fishing methods allowed on the island are a pole and line or trawl lines.

Main catches include sharks, sailfish and Marlin. Maldavian skipjack tuna however, is one of the main exports of the country. Substantial amounts of tuna are exported to the USA, Europe and Japan either in fresh of frozen form.

Demand for sustainably sourced tuna worldwide has increased. The Maldives wish to be recognised globally for their high standard of sustainable and well-managed fisheries.

When visiting this luxury holiday island, resorts such as Soneva Fushi, offer exclusive fishing trips. Whether your a first timer or a keen fisherman the right package can be organised for your “experience of a lifetime”.

All flights to and from Greece tomorrow (10/12/08) have been cancelled as air traffic controllers prepare to strike over economic reforms.

Hundreds of flights to and from Greece have been cancelled ahead of a 24-hour strike by air traffic controllers. The planned 24-hour walk-out follows a third night of rioting and protests across various parts of the country over the Government's economic policies.

No flights will be permitted to or from any Greek airports tomorrow, forcing British Airways to cancel seven flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, while EasyJet has scrapped eight of its services from British airports.

Olympic Airlines, Aegean Airlines and Thomas Cook Airlines have also announced the cancellation of all its services to and from Greece tomorrow. This will therefore affect all holiday makers including those on a luxury holiday and those just travelling to Athens on a long weekend.

Concerned travellers should contact their airline or tour operator.

The airline Emirates has announced that from 27th June 2009 it will be laying on two additional flights per week to Mauritius.

The addition of these flights will bring the Emirates’ weekly total to 9 flights therefore increasing the flow of leisure traffic to the popular holiday destination.

If you would like to experience a luxury holiday in the Mauritius take a look at Le Touessrok Maurtius and you will surely be inspired.

British Airways will drop its fuel surcharge by as much as a third on long-haul flights, the airline announced today. It said the move, which will save customers up to £35 per flight and comes into effect tomorrow, reflects the fall in the price of oil and the amount it predicts fuel will cost over the next financial year. The reduced surcharge means the price of seats will be cut by £4 for people flying economy on domestic or European services. That will rise to £35 for those flying first class for more than nine hours.

BA's reduction in fuel surcharges comes as oil prices rose above $44 a barrel as investors wait to see how big a production cut OPEC will announce at a meeting in Algeria today. Oil prices have slumped from a peak of $147 a barrel in July to about $44 a barrel, as demand has weakened amid the global economic downturn.

The decrease in flight surcharges will be beneficial to luxury holiday makers who will be able to travel to their luxury destinations for less.

The warning siren rang out across St Mark's Square this morning as the authorities alerted the city that the high tide could reach its highest level for 30 years. Venice often experiences very high waters at this time of year. In an attempt to protect the city a floating flood barrier is being constructed and is due to go into operation in 2012. Venice has long been a destination for luxury holiday makers and back packers alike and tourism is a major source of income for the city.

The major of Venice was keen to play down the floods in Venice pointing out that it is an everyday occurance for sea levels to reach 140 cms and that levels reach 160 cms every few years. He also pointed out that the whole country is experiencing bad weather with driving rain, snow, hail and high winds.

The luxury holidays destination of Florida has been a favourite hotspot for the British holidaymaker for many years.

The South-eastern state of Florida is boarded by Alabama and Georgia. The state capital is Tallahassee and it is renowned for having the fourth largest population in USA. Florida boosts the oldest city in America, St Augustine, which is also known as the “Ancient City”.

When you think of the popular holiday destination of Florida you associate it with Disneyworld but there is more to this beautiful tropical state than rollercoaster’s and Mickey Mouse. With an average temperature of 82 degrees only dipping to a low of 75 degrees in the winter it is easy to see why it is nicknamed “The Sunshine State”. From sunbathing on palm fringed white sandy beaches to diving and snorkelling in crystal blue waters to beach combing, great shops and deep sea fishing there is something for all the family in this little taste of paradise.

The former Prime Minister of St Lucia was honored in a ceremony on 29th August held in the chapel situated in the middle of the Raffles Resort Canouan Island.

The ceremony marked exactly 70 years since the late Sir John Compton departed from the shores of the island to study in St Lucia.  The ceremony was attended by members of his family as well as Caribbean heads of state and celebrated his life time achievements.

The Anglican Church has been beautifully restored and is situated in the middle of the luxury holiday resort.

According to a recent article we could be spending future holidays in enormous vertical airships if a design concept comes to fruition.  The Aircruise hotel designs could accommodate 265 guests in a hotel that could float above the skyline offering guests fabulous landscape views and stressfree travel.

The idea is that luxury holidays should not rely on airline travel.  It’s described by its designers as, “a more serene transport experience”.  The Aircruise hotel would provide the opportunity to gently travel and view scenery from you hotel suite.

Hydrogen gas would be used as the primary lifting gas and it would be capable of lifting around 1.2 kg per cubic meter of volume.

It will be interesting to see whether the designs get beyond the initial feasibility study!

As the summer approaches students around Britain are planning their gap year travels. This concept of taking a year out before embarking on university studies is becoming increasing popular. Quite often this is the first time teenagers have travelled on their own without their parents making the idea seem even more appealing as gap year travel encourages independence.

It is wise to consult a specialised gap year holiday company which can help and advice making the whole process less daunting and safe. Many students opt to do voluntary work which not only can be very rewarding but looks good on a CV. Whether it teaching in an African school, building local communities or working with the poor in South America always used a trusted company who can provide you with all the correct information and help you need.

The top destinations for gap year travel include Australia, New Zealand, Africa and South America. Luxury holidays they are not but gap year travel can be very rewarding. If organised and planned they can be a life changing experience for any young adult.

One of the major economies of the Maldives is tourism with many resorts offering luxury holidays.  Many of these resorts, like Soneva Fushi Maldives, have award winning and highly acclaimed restaurants offering international cuisine as well as local dishes.

The traditional food of the Maldives is dominated with seafood like tuna, grouper, octopus, jobfish nad swordfish.  Local specialities include Kavaabu which is a deep-fried snack with ingredients which include rice, tuna, coconut, lentils and spices.

The Maldives has been influenced by a variety of cultures over its history and particularly by India.  One of the most popular local dishes is curry – often made with chicken or beef.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Alain Ducasse’s “Spoon des Iles” restaurant at the One&Only Le Saint Geran, visitors are being given the chance to meet the chef and join in with the celebrations.

The celebrations will include a “10 Years, 10 Dishes, 10 Wines” experience and will include a private cooking lesson, lunch, dinner, lunchbox and signed cookbook….a chefs hat and apron will also be thrown in!

Ducasse will be in residence for part of the celebrations which will culminate in a Gala Dinner.

Le Saint Geran is just one of several luxury holiday resort hotels on Mauritius which include the renowned Le Touessrok.

A 10 year old girl from London has won a competition to name the world’s very first cultivated coral reef which is situated in the Maldives.  The entries were judged by the President of the Maldives and the girl won over 300 other entrants.

The name she came up with is Stingray Reef or in the local dialect Madi Faru.

If you are interested in a luxury holiday to the Maldives, Only Exclusive travel feature several resorts here including Soneva Fushi.

When you think of camping, the words glamorous and luxury holidays don’t normally spring to mind. But as the credit crunch continues more Brits are turning to camping as an alternative family holiday.

Camping doesn’t have to mean spider infested shower blocks and leaky tents. Modern day campsites boast organic food boxes on your arrival, Wi-Fi connection, swimming pools,  upmarket restaurants and fully stocked lavish accommodation all ready for you on arrival. Options range from traditional tents, tipis, safari tents, airstream caravans or R.V’s.

 This new attitude to camping is known as Galmping or glamorous camping.  Glamping has become the new buzz word in unique luxury holidays, offering luxury accommodation in countries as far afield as Australia, Europe and Asia. You can still experience the great outdoors under the stars, but from the comfort of a boutique tent with all the mod cons you could want.

Results of the 2010 global travel trends survey were released earlier this week at the World Travel Market.

The trends predicted included a likely increase in concierge services in the mid range sector.  Also it was reported that there would be an increase in the number of “pop up” sustainable hotels in the UK.  Pop up hotels are designed in a modular format and so they are quickly erected.

Latin-America was tipped to see a growth in the luxury holidays market with Mexico investing heavily in improving its tourism infrastructure.

The Maldives played host to the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) surfing competition this weekend.

The surf was reportedly fantastic and the event was a resounding success.  Surfing generally has grown in popularity in the Maldives in recent years and there are now many surfing schools offering holiday makers the opportunity for instruction.

If you’re interested in surfing in the Maldives check out the luxury holiday destinations on offer from Only Exclusive Travel, like Soneva Fushi Maldives.

A recent report suggests the Indian Ocean region, popular for luxury holidays, saw growth during October 2009 (giving 3 months continuous growth in total).

Figures, which were released by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) indicate that the number of tourist visiting the whole Pacific Asia region was up by 2.2% compared to the same month the previous year.

The growth was attributed to the continued popularity of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.  The Maldives (with the growing popularity of Spa Resorts like Soneva Fushi) and Nepal, Australia and New Zealand also saw growth.

The luxury holiday resort, Soneva Fushi, has scheduled a series of workshops and demonstrations for its guests with Diana von Cranach who is a living food expert and promotes healing through diet.  The course will take place during October and fits in with Soneva Fushi’s philosophy of producing sustainable local organic food for use in its kitchens.

The workshops will demonstrate the benefits of a balanced diet.

Heathrow airport, in London, will be expanded with the building of a third runway, Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary has confirmed. Mr Hoon told MPs that the Government believes the new runway is justified on economic grounds, despite a chorus of environmental objections.

Green groups and dozens of Labour MPs are strongly opposed to the decision, but Mr Hoon said it was vital to "ensuring that this country remains an attractive place to do business." Business leaders support a new runway but environmentalists say it would encourage more flights and increase Britain's carbon emissions. Some residents in west London and Berkshire also worry that expansion will mean more aircraft noise.

Gordon Brown, speaking on a visit to Berlin, insisted that the decision is in the best long-term interests of the UK economy. "It is always our desire to make sure that we protect the economic future of the country while at the same time meeting the very tough environmental conditions that we have set ourselves for noise and pollution and for climate change," he said.

There will be a new high-speed rail link from central London to Heathrow, and ministers will look at a new high-speed rail network from the capital to northern England and Scotland. Flights from the new runway will also have to meet stricter standards on carbon emissions and noise.

Labour opponents also said that the number of take-off slots on the new runway would be much lower than BAA, Heathrow's ower, and the airline companies had wanted. "They've only got half a runway," said a Cabinet critic of expansion. "That is a big concession to our side. This package has been significantly changed in the last week because people spoke out."

Heathrow trials on driverless pods, which will take passengers from their cars to Terminal 5 will start within weeks. They will lead to the world's first Personal Rapid Transport system starting full operation by the autumn and the same technology is also set to be introduced in the centre of Daventry, Norhamptonshire in about five years.

The Heathrow system will see 18 battery-powered pods - each capable of carrying four adults and two children along with their luggage - shuttling between the terminal and the car park along a 2.4 mile concrete track known as a "guideway".

According to Heathrow passengers will have to wait no longer than a minute for their pod to arrive - a vast improvement on the existing shuttle buses which use conventional roads around the airport. The journey itself will take three minutes with the pods travelling at 25mph and it is anticipated that the system will be used by half a million passengers a year. When still the pods' battery will recharge and, as a result, will not only use 70 per cent less energy than a car making the same journey, but also emit no CO2.

BAA, Heathrow's operators, have spent £25 million on the system which could eventually be extended to other parts of the airport. Expanding the system would help Heathrow keep within the air quality targets which have been set by the Government as a condition of being allowed to build a third runway.

The use at Terminal 5 is seen as a trial which, if successful, could see the system being rolled out across the airport as a whole. But this could require as many as 500 pods and 30 miles of track. The pods are also capable of using sophisticated computer technology which would, for example, take a passenger to the correct terminal once the flight number is tapped in on a console or details are read from a chip embedded in a passenger's frequent flier card.

We all get excited when the time comes to plan our next holiday but whether you are choosing from an array of luxury holidays or a weekend break it’s important to make the right decision for you and your pocket.

Recent university research shows that people enjoy spending money on themselves rather than on material goods. “We found that people receive more enduring pleasure and satisfaction from investing in life experiences than material possessions”.  With today’s economic climate there is definitely a bargain to be had as travel companies compete for our business.

The big problem for most of us is deciding what holiday to choose.  Whether you want to take a luxury world cruise or travel thru the Rain Forests of South America, enrol on a cookery course in Italy or romantic weekend in Paris, with global travel not only being more accessible it is also more affordable to a large number of holidaymakers than ever before.

A recent article in the Telegraph explored the subject of bargain holidays and how to spot them.  The article rightly pointed out that it’s difficult to spot a real bargain because the price of holidays seems to fluctuate throughout the year.  Whether its luxury holidays or mid-range holidays your after it’s not always easy to be sure whether you have a really good deal or not.

It’s obviously possible that it's the less popular destinations that are the ones on offer (but not always the case).  You mind find offers at a time of year when the weather is unreliable or good deals on family accommodation during term time.  The article suggested that the key to finding a really good deal is to be flexible with your holiday dates.  By being flexible you should be able to bag a bargain!  Do your research thoroughly and have a really good look at what's on offer.

Holiday home exchanges have had revival recently. Although they are not a new concept with the recent financial problems in the world we are all feeling the pinch. Home swaps offer the perfect solution to experience a holiday with a difference.

With a home exchange the benefits are that you just pay for your air travel and living expenses. You can choose from a range of accommodation in a large number of countries to suit your requirements. From luxury holidays to budget vacations the choices are numerous.

The key is to build up trust with the people you are exchanging homes with. Mutual respect will make for a successful home swap. Exchanging can be fun and exciting and allow you to visit places you had only dreamt of. The world is your oyster.

Many of us find it hard to go on holiday and leave our trusted friends. The answer is to send your dog to a luxury holidays hotel especially designed for your pampered pooch.

From £29 per night dogs can have their own room, complete with a 24in plasma TV, at Britain’s poshest dog hotel-The Royvon Pet hotel in Merthyr Tydfil. Set in six acres of welsh countryside it has outside play paddocks and even a spa.

Along with a complete pampering package and a pool dogs will be having their own holiday while you are away. Owner Sarah Draper said “we like to think of ourselves as the Ritz for dogs” she went on to add “people are willing to splash out on their pets while they are away sunning themselves in the Med or Caribbean”.

Whether you are choosing a luxury holidays destination or a budget vacation nothing can compare to the comfort and convenience of staying in a hotel.

When you arrive at your chosen destination by checking into a hotel you know all your needs and requirements have been anticipated. You are safe in the knowledge that you will receive a warm welcome and a clean and comfortable room will be waiting for you. As soon as you arrive you can feel yourself relaxing and getting into the holiday spirit.

After a long day of sightseeing there is nothing better than returning to your hotel and relaxing. Make good use of not only your rooms conveniences like WiFi connection and digital TV but also the hotels amenities such as a swimming pool, sauna and spa. Staying in a hotel makes for a truly relaxing vacation.

It has been publicized recently that the first Holiday Inn in the Maldives will be opening later this year.  The new hotel is to be situated in Male and will add to the luxury holiday markets accomodation as well as providing accomodation for business travellers to this region.

The new hotel will be accessed by a short speed boat ride from the airport and will boast facilities like a roof top swimming pool and fitness centre as well as several restaurants.

Whether you are a luxury holidays traveller or a business passenger, a seasoned holidaymaker or a first timer, taking a journey can be a daunting task. However, if you are prepared and have planned well in advance your experience of travelling through an airport can be relatively stress free.

When taking a trip it is important that you understand your travel documents, such as, your travel itinerary, passport and ticket. Security at airports nowadays is very stringent and time consuming, so make sure you stay calm and are patient. Have your boarding card and passport on hand for easy inspection and make sure all your liquid items are in a clear plastic bag. Be prepared to be frisked and searched if necessary.

Once you have completed your flight be prepared for your arrival where you will have to clear immigration and customs. Fill out landing documents ahead of time and ensure you know the number of your baggage carousel. To make baggage reclaim easier always label you bag well and make sure it has a defining feature so it is easily recognisable. If you baggage looks damaged or tampered with always report this before you leave the airport. Then off you go and enjoy your vacation.

Wayne and Colleen Rooney are no strangers toluxury holidays; they even own a home in Barbados... This week saw them taking their son Kai on his first holiday to the beautiful island of Majorca which is a favourite destination of the rich and famous.

Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterrean Sea off the coast of Spain. Its capital is the historic city of Palma whose roots can be traced back to Roman times. Majorca holds an attraction for visitors from all over Europe for its magnificent castles, picturesque coastal resorts and the fact it caters for families and singles quite comfortably.

With its pleasant Mediterrean climate, Majorca is a popular tourist spot all year round. Many celebrities visit and own homes there, such as Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones. With its wealth of attractions it is easy to see why Majorca is fast becoming one of the top holiday destinations in Europe.

With the ever weakening pound, holidays outside the eurozone are continuing in popularity this year.

Countries like Spain, France and Portugal will be more expensive in real terms than last year.  The trend is towards long-haul luxury holiday destinations and closer to home, destinations like Turkey are increasing in popularity.

Only Exclusive Travel feature an extensive range of holiday destinations outside the eurozone.

Here is a small selection of ideas if you are looking for the perfect honeymoon destination.  These honeymoon destinations cannot be beaten for luxury, romance, privacy and the opportunity to relax and enjoy a magical break.

1. Le Touessrok, Mauritius – set in island paradise this luxury hotel has accomplished a perfect harmony between contemporary style and tradition.

2.  The Raffles Resort, Canouan Island – again island paradise with single and double storey luxury villas set around the protected bay and affording breathtaking views.

3. Soneva Fushi, Maldives – an uninhabited paradise island resort offering luxury and privacy.

There are loads more ideas on the Only Exclusive Travel website and our specialist team of honeymoon planners will be able to advise and help you put together your perfect honeymoon,

 A leading travel agent has advertised what must be the most coveted job-a “honeymoon tester”. Only couples need apply.

The lucky couple will spend six months travelling the globe on numerous luxury holidays. They will be paid a salary of £18,000 to visit exotic honeymoon destinations. The pair will try and out the amenities, report on the standard of accommodation and give a final report on their findings.

The couple will travel to places such as Zanzibar, Thailand and the Maldives. The job requires them to sample cocktails and “lie in a hammock between two palm trees”. The pair also need to sociable, have a “friendly personality” and “appreciate fine dining and luxurious surroundings”.

Applicants need apply by 1st April and submit an essay as to why they should be chosen. What a wonderful opportunity for one fortunate couple to travel the world, stay in the most luxurious resorts and get paid for the priviledge!

People are spending more on holidays than ever before and as wedding experts point out, newlyweds still place a great deal of importance on their honeymoon.

A report in the Daily Telegraph, based on research carried out by Mintel last year, highlighted the fact that spending on honeymoons has doubled over the last decade. The figures in the report indicate that spending by UK couples on honeymoons was between £500 million and £600 million each year.

Figures suggested that each couple spent an average of £3,000 on their honeymoon - with £205 on a special first-night hotel.

The report quoted Francesca Moore,  from hitched.co.uk,  who said that honeymoons are just as important to newlyweds in the modern world as they have ever been because it is the first time that the couple are going to have alone together after the wedding ends. She went on to explain that the honeymoon is a way of extending the whole wedding experience and that traditionally couples are still inclined to honeymoon immediately after their wedding. She explained that couples are choosing to take different types of honeymoon some preferring skiing to sunshine. But she added that the Maldives is still one of the most popular destinations for honeymooners.

If you look at the Bangkok skyline from a distance there is one tower that stands out and dominates the scene. The tower is the State Tower and the Lebua Hotel is situated within it. The Lubua is an all suite luxury hotel and each balcony provides the most amazing and breathtaking views over the whole of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.

You notice immediately at this hotel that the pursuit of excellence is paramount and that attention is given to even the minutest detail. Wherever you turn you will find facilities fit for a king. The décor is warm and modern and provides a restful contrast to the hot glare of the city beyond.

One of the unique features of the hotel is the in-room dining service offered directly from the Dome where many fine dining restaurants gather together under one roof providing a choice of gastronomic delights to the hotel residents.

Bangkok itself is packed with exciting and interesting things to do for example The Central Shopping Centre; China Town; Chatuchak Park; (Sunday market); Flower Market, Grand Palace, Jewellery Centre, Jim Thompson Museum; Lumpini Night Bazaar; Patpong Night Market; Robinson Shopping Centre; Silom Handicrafts Centre; Silom Shopping Complex; Statue of Emerald Buddha; Statue of Golden Buddha; BITEC Convention Centre; Muangthong Convention Centre and QSNCC Convention Centre. Bangkok truly is a city worth visiting and the Lubua Hotel sitting at its heart is the place to stay.

In a recent article in the Times a reader pointed out that having just returned from a trip to Morocco he had paid more for a week’s parking at Gatwick than he did for his flights!

Hotel parking is undoubtedly expensive and whether you are travelling on a luxury holiday, last minute bargain or for business, to most people it’s crucial to get the best possible deals.  The cost of airport parking is substantially more if you just pitch up on the day without a booking.  You can save a considerable amount of money and hassle if you book online in advance.

For example, if you want on-airport parking, book on BAA Advance. You could save £27.60 on a week in Long Stay Plus South compared with driving up and paying on the day.
 
Alternatively, if you're happy to park off airport, Airport Parking and Hotels, a 15-minute drive from Gatwick, is offering a week for £33.92. Also, if you're planning to stay at a hotel at the airport, check to see if it offers parking as part of the deal.

 The volcanic ash which caused such devastation to worldwide flights last month appears to be disrupting travel yet again.

Clouds of ash have begun move over Northern Europe, over the weekend, creating an all too familiar situation. Transatlantic flights to North America have been forced to change routes and take on extra fuel. Many passengers from those on luxury holidays through to the business traveller have experienced severe delays. In Spain 19 airports shut and over 100 flights to Portugal were cancelled.

Since April 13th the volcano near Hvolsvollar in Iceland has been erupting. It is still showing no signs of settling down. The fear for the airlines is that the ash could get into the jet engines which could corrode the blades and clod the fuel system. It is estimated that the current ash cloud measures 1,250 miles by 800 miles.

Volcanic ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland has brought travel chaos to UK over the past few days. Travel plans for thousands of passengers have been disrupted as British air space was declared a no fly zone forcing all UK airports to close.

ABTA advised passengers that it was hard to estimate how long the disruption would last stating that “it will cost the industry. When flights are cancelled or delayed it runs into millions of pounds very quickly”.

Whether passengers are travelling on business trips, luxury holidays or taking a short haul flight, the airlines are attempting to reschedule travellers.

CAA spokesman Richard Taylor said that “the closures were unprecedented. It all depends on which way the wind blows-literally.” Hopes to restart flights over the weekend appear optimistic. Other forms of transport, such as, Euro star and ferries have seen a deluge of passengers who are desperate to carry on with their journeys.

The budget market is to be given a facelift as hotel companies and airlines attempt to attract more travellers. They hope to achieve this by improving the standards of low budget holidays.

Not only are hoteliers improving the quality of their hotels they are opting to introduce the all-inclusive concept. In the past all-inclusive holidays have been criticised for being of a low quality but efforts are being made to improve standards.

Airlines are also introducing improvements for the economy traveller. For example, Air New Zealand has introduced beds into the economy class. Three seats located together can be laid flat and a bed formed. They are aimed at couples and families with children.

As a result of the recent recession airline and hotel chains are trying to attract back passengers and travellers in the hope that they will take up their offers .From luxury holidays to budget vacations, there are many bargains to be had and many packages to choose from.

Recent figures show that there has been an increase in the number of bookings for luxury holidays in Europe this summer, in particular the South of France.

With the recent collapse of a number of airlines, the ongoing threat of striking cabin crew and the fiasco of the Icelandic volcanic ash passengers are opting for holidays in Europe. Bookings for ferry crossings and the channel tunnel are on the up as travellers avoid possible travel disruptions during the summer.

European destinations, such as Spain, France and Italy are easily accessible by car when travelling from the UK. Camping holidays in France are proving to be a popular choice for families as are self catering holiday homes.
 

 A report recently released by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), shows that the international travel industry is getting back on its feet after the recent global economic crisis.

Figures show that in the first few months of 2010 tourist arrivals are up by 7% compared to this time last year. Spain, France and USA last year were considered the most popular tourist destinations. This year luxury holidays destinations such as, Middle East, Africa and Asia, especially Japan and Israel, were beginning to take the lead for international tourism.

Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO said that the recent volcanic ash episode does not seem to have affected passenger figures. He also went on to say that “although economic results have improved significantly in recent months with a positive impact on tourism demand, we must remain cautious as many factors can still jeopardise the pace of recovery”.

Research shows that more people are using the internet, in comparison to high street travel agents, as their first port of call when researching their choices in holidays. As more offers and information is now available for luxury holidays, business trips and family vacations on the web, travellers are finding the internet invaluable when it comes to making decisions.

Recent research suggests that 54% of business passengers use the internet to book their flights and to find information on a regular basis. 19% of those travelling on business ask colleagues and only 14% use their business travel agency. As business travellers provide a high proportion of revenue to the airlines it makes sense for airlines to now advertise heavily on the internet.

With more and more travel companies jumping on the bandwagon and trading on the internet it is important to have a good look around to find the best value holidays. As online travel agencies expand and take control of the market, they can be seen as a big threat to the traditional high street travel agents.

The travel industry experts are reporting an increase in the number of travellers taking to the air recently. Luxury holidays and the business market are seeing a recovery because “confidence is returning to the business sector”.

The impact on the travel market following the recent global economic crisis seemed to hit the UK and USA more than it did most. However these two countries are slowly gaining in strength but they still have a way to go to get back to the relatively strong position they previously held in the travel market.

Australia however, due mainly to Australian dollar gaining in strength, is seeing “people travelling again and the business market returning”. Quantas, Australians largest airline, have gone so far as to say “an improving global economy is feeding a recovery in business demand while leisure travel remains strong in the face of increased borrowing costs”.

The number of people searching for flights in the week after Christmas fell 42% this year compared to the same period last year, as consumers rein in their spending as a result of the slowdown.

January and the period immediately after Christmas are usually a busy time for the industry as people start booking their Easter and summer breaks.However internet searches for flights were down over 40% in the week after Christmas according to Hitwise, a division of Experian. Traffic to travel websites for the same period - up to the week ending January 3 - was also down 16%.

A number of travel and flight operators have already cut capacity for 2009 year to try and combat falling demand. The January sales have already seen flights to New York drop to £259 with British Airways, and holiday companies like First Choice offering big discounts. Robin Goad, from Experian, told the FT: “January is the big peak for traffic to travel websites and obviously the web is the primary sales channel for travel companies now, so it's very important what happens in January.” He said that although there had been a spike in searches since Christmas, they are seeing a “significant drop” when compared to traffic in previous years.

People are also turning away from the eurozone and the US when searching for flights and holidays, turning instead to destinations like Norway and Denmark. If you would like to avoid the eurozone this summer, why not look at the luxury holidays that we offer in the Far East.

Laos is truly a Mekong country, the river runs its full length. It is a quiet, unexplored jewel of Southeast Asia with only 4.1 million people. Landlocked between China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, Laos has long remained isolated. Despite the fact that it was heavily bombed in the '60s and early '70, its culture and scenery remain intact, from the lush green mountains of its North to the ancient archaeological treasures of its South.

You will not find large numbers of tourists as its leaders are wary of the difficulties mass tourism can cause. Luang Prabang, is situated by the banks of the Mekong, some 5 000 kilometres upriver from Vientiane and 300 metres above sea level. It is Laos' oldest town that's is still in existence.

The small town (about 20,000 inhabitants today) is beautifully located at the foot of a high, rocky mountain - Mount Phousi - by the banks of the Mekong river, and the town has a romantic atmosphere even though most buildings are not very old (despite the town's history of many centuries). The reason: surrounded by almost infinite forests the town's inhabitants always used as building material what they had, in abundance, at their disposal: wood.

In the course of its long history the town had often been conquered and burnt down. The last time this happened in the 80's of the 19th century at the hands of the Chinese. The town had also been a frequent target of hostile visits by Thais and Vietnamese. After invasions, many destroyed structures were rebuilt, some of them again and again, roughly the same as they have existed before an invasion. Though physically no longer present, architecture dating back many centuries shapes the town and contributes to Luang Prabang's unquestioned charm. To this, the numerous Wats in and around the town provide a spiritual component.

Laos is a perfect location for luxury holiday makers. Only Exclusive Travel recommends staying in La Résidence Phou Vao Hotel. This is a luxury spa hotel with breathtaking views of the mountains and surrounding World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Experience the unique and peaceful atmosphere of this luxury resort in Laos, and enjoy a warm welcome from some of the most hospitable people in the world. The spacious guest rooms and suites provide breathtaking views of the forest canopy and distant mountains dotted with pagodas and stupas from the comfort of your private terrace or balcony. Read more about this luxury holiday opportunity.

Le Touessrok Golf Course has won accolade of ‘Second most popular golf course worldwide’ after voting by readers of the German publication Golf Journal.

Readers were asked to vote for golf destination which they considered to be the best.  Le Touessrok came 2nd and the award was announced at the international travel fair held in Germany earlier in the year.

Le Touessrok is in Mauritius and the luxury holiday destination is featured by Only Exclusive Travel.

When couples are planning their honeymoons they look for romantic and exotic locations.  The islands in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean provide the perfect luxury honeymoon destination.

Mauritius is one of the islands which is a perfect honeymoon destination.  The island is located in the Indian Ocean.  The island is breathtaking in terms of its scenery with perfect white sandy beaches with a number of luxury holiday resorts providing the perfect atmosphere for honeymooning couples.

The resort of Le Touessrok is situated on the east coast of Mauritius.  The ethos of  Le Touessrok Mauritius is peace and tranquility and every effort is made to promote privacy and relaxation.  It’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing and romantic honeymoon. The hotel combines contemporary chic and elegance with the traditional style of Mauritius

It has been announced that Le Touessrok Mauritius has joined National County Card’s exclusive golfing scheme.  The scheme offers members substantial green fee discounts at some of the world top golfing venues like the Druids Glen in Ireland and Bom Sucesso in Portugal.  The innovative concept is designed to benefit private member clubs and their members.

Card holders will be able to play at the award winning course at Le Touessrok Mauritius which is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world.  They will pay 20% less on green fees throughout both the high and low season.

Le Touessrok has won a series of awards since the Bernhard Langer-designed course was unveiled in 2003, including being voted the Indian Ocean Leading Golf Resort at the World Travel Awards in 2007, and regularly features in polls for the top ten golfing venues in the world.

Recently Trivago, the hotel comparison site, compiled a list of the top most popular beach hotels around the world.  The list was based on the reviews and ratings of real travellers.

Le Touessrok Mauritius featured on this list.  As well as being situated in a fabulous location, the hotel was also praised for the quality of the service provided by its staff and the very high standard of the food on offer in its restaurants. The hotel is the perfect destination for a luxury holiday and is featured by Only Exclusive Travel.

As the pound weakens against the euro, a leading holiday company have revealed that long haul flights currently are proving to be better value for money than European breaks.

Travellers are finding significant savings on luxury holidays as hoteliers in many 5 star resorts are slashing their prices. Destinations such as, Dubai and the Far East are proving exceptionally competitive.

With the a combination of the extremely cold weather last winter and reasonably priced long haul holidays, reports indicate there has been a significant increase in bookings for luxury holidays.

It has been suggested that 2010 could see long haul flights, in some cases, cheaper than European ones. However, it is recommended that “it’s a case of taking advantage of this trend in the short term as they will bounce back in price in most cases”.

Bookings of luxury holidays have seen a significant increase in the past year as travellers find themselves emerging out of the recent financial crisis. Long haul destinations and high end market holidays are attracting a lot of attention.

Safaris and Cruises, for example, are traditionally seen as expensive, holiday of a life time experiences. However, many tour operators and travel companies are offering these once coveted holidays at reasonable prices, many of them within the reach of the average passenger. As the UK emerges out of the economic difficulties travellers are taking advantage of the special deals on offer.

Top luxury destinations, such as, Dubai, Maldives and Seychelles have all seen a rise in bookings recently. All inclusive holidays are becoming increasing popular as many hotels are offering tempting deals to individuals, couples and families in an attempt to get the travel market back up and running. At present, travellers have a realistic opportunity to have the holiday of their dreams come true.

Major luxury holiday companies are reporting a slight increase in bookings for high-end destinations in recent weeks.  This may indicate that the recession my have leveled out in terms of luxury holidays. 

Holidays to destinations like the Soneva Fushi Maldives have seen a slight recovery in recent weeks in terms of bookings.  The gloomy forecast might not be as bad as first thought.

A recent article in Travel Weekly pointed out that when it comes to selling luxury holidays the service needs to start with the agent, with customers being made to feel like they are getting a special service from the outset.

Here at Only Exclusive Travel we provide just that special service.  Our experienced team are able to carefully interpret your needs and can tailor-make holidays to give you the best possible experience.
We aim to build a unique rapport with our customers – not just assuming what you want but listening very carefully to your wishes particularly when it comes to the planning of extra special holidays, like if you are looking for a luxury honeymoon destination.

Our knowledge of the resorts and hotels that we feature is extensive and we are able to recommend resorts which offer the particular elements you are looking for – whether it be atmosphere, facilities or activities.

If you are planning a luxury holiday you should speak to an experienced travel agent like Only Exclusive Travel.

European city break bookings, like Paris, Rome and Venice, traditionally see an increase at this time of year as couples whisk each other away for romantic breaks to coincide with Valentines Day.  However, according to some luxury holidays travel agents the trend in 2010 seems to be towards longer holidays above shorter weekend breaks.

Currently on our website we have a selection of offers including luxury resort spas like Soneva Fushi Maldives.  This resort is a Robinson Crusoe style hideaway in the Maldives.  The islands are set within the crystal clear Indian Ocean and are fringed by pure white pristine sands.  The Maldives are the ideal setting for a romantic holiday and perfect for a Valentines break.

If you are looking atluxury holidays with a difference why not step back in time and sample regal extravagance with a contemporary twist.

India is renowned for having one of the world’s largest railway networks. Sit back, relax and journey through the vibrant landscape of Rajasthan and experience the diverse history of Jalpur and Bangalore. This first class luxury train service offers the complete package.

Take pleasure in being treated like royalty with elegantly designed bedrooms, mouth watering cuisines and fine wines, modern gyms and attendants to take care of your every need. This is a once in a lifetime experience allowing you to travel in style and opulence sampling the traditional and modern day India.

The Indian Tourist Board hopes that by building and investing in a luxury rail network that a much needed boost of tourism will be injected in all areas of the country. With such gracious hospitality and elegant decor the traveller cannot fail to be impressed by this exclusive luxury experience.

Luxury holidays in private villas are becoming increasingly popular among the Brits. With the freedom and flexibility to choose your own agenda without being tied to the restraints of a hotel a villa holiday makes a refreshing change. Following the recent economic crisis travellers are taking up the many special offers, by the tour companies and operators, which enable them to visit destinations they could only dream of.

From opulent villas in Italy to a glitzy property in the South of France, a romantic getaway in the Caribbean to a contemporary villa in Spain these are just a few of the many and different choices for travellers who want a holiday with a difference.

Recent reports show that the most popular villa rental destination is the Caribbean. With its warm all year climate and stunning scenery it is easy to see why it has come out on top. Other fashionable hot spots include Portugal, Spain, Croatia and Italy. Villa holidays offer the perfect opportunity to relax and to enjoy your vacation with all the home comforts around you.

It’s been reported that the main airport in the Maldives which is situated on Male is to upgrade with the help of the World Bank.  An efficient communications system is crucial to this island nation partly because of its reliance upon the luxury holiday industry with many resorst relying on foreign tourists like Soneva Fushi. 

It’s hoped that the improvements will boost tourism and the overall economic growth of the country.

The President of the Maldives pledged two month ago to make his country completely carbon neutral by 2010.  The result of this announcement has benefited the Maldives in several ways. 

For instance, many overseas technology and energy companies have approached the country offering to set up pilot schemes to trial their renewable energy projects.

The carbon neutral goals have also given the countries tourism industry a boost.  The Maldives already had a growing following of eco-conscious tourists because of resorts like Soneva Fushi (popular because it provides intelligent luxury holidays) but the presidents announcement has added to the islands credibility as a eco-friendly destination

The Maldives cleaned up last month at the prestigious World Travel Awards winning several awards in the Indian Ocean Category.

The Awards won included:

Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport- Malé International Airport

Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination - Maldives
 
Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort - Soneva Fushi Maldives

Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort - Banyan Tree Maldives

Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel - Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Brand - Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts

Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort - Huvafen Fushi Maldives

Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort - Huvafen Fushi Maldives

Indian Ocean’s Leading Spa Resort - Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

The list of awards for the island nation popular for luxury holidays seemed almost endless and included many others which we haven’t mentioned here.

The Maldives were key players in a UN Human Rights Council debate on climate change yesterday.  The representative for the Maldives called for the international community to safe guard the rights of the communities living in countries most at risk from climate change.

The islands of the Maldives lay only just able sea level making them incredibly vulnerable to climate change.

The general awareness of climate change in the country is indicated by the ecological projects which are run in resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives.  Here power is generated from renewable resources and the resort grows lots of the ingredients which are used in its kitchen.  The Maldivian people are only too aware of their vulnerability to climate change and there is a drive to make changes which may protect their country in the long term.

The Maldives’ State Electric Company has reached an agreement with Falcon Energy which will employ them to operate a wind farm on Gaafaru Island.  This initiative will contribute to the overall effort for carbon neutrality which is being pursued by the Maldives as a whole.

The main economy of the island nation, the luxury holidays industry, is embracing the drive with many eco-friendly projects and initiatives being introduced by resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives.

The Maldives are one of the countries which are most affected by climate change because of their geography.  They country has recently joined the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) which promotes initiatives to help countries to make the transmission to becoming carbon neutral.

Earlier this year President Mohamed Nasheed pledged to make the Maldives the world’s first carbon neutral country within 10 years.  He plans to switch over to renewable sources of energy like solar and wind power.

Luxury holiday resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives are at the forefront of this drive.  Earlier this year Soneva Fushi launched a revolutionary recycling plant which recycles the majority of the resorts waste materials into valuable products.

The Maldives' Environment Minister addressed the crowd at the Eden Project in Cornwall last weekend. He sought support from the audience for the need to address all aspects of climate change.

He discussed the fact that the Maldives is a frontline state investing in green technology and with a united support from other nations it could become the worlds first carbon-neutral country.

The Maldives relies heavily on its luxury holiday market and hopes that tourists will embrace the islands environmental schemes which are implemented at resorts, such as, Soneva Fushi.
 

The Maldives, popular for luxury holidays, is to expand the tourism industry across more of its islands.  Tourism and resorts, like Soneva Fushi, have been centered in the northern islands of the archipelago. 

However, recently the government decided that it would allow development on individual and specifically selected islands in the south.  This will open up a different part of the Maldives to visitors enabling them to experience a different side to the Maldives.  The islands of the South are more traditional and visitors are likely to come into closer contact with the Maldivian culture here. 

Historically, it was not common for visitors to mix with Maldivian nationals except in the capital or with people working in service industries.  Resorts were restricted to unpopulated islands and interaction between visitors and nationals was not particularly encouraged by the government. 

The Maldives government is to meet underwater to raise the awareness about the issue of climate change.

President Mohamed Nasheed and members of his cabinet will sign a document during a dive scheduled to take place later this month.  In a statement to the BBC a representative of the government said whilst the dive was going to be fun it was intended to highlight the serious issue of rising sea levels.

The Maldives, which relies heavily on the luxury holiday trade, is threatened by rising sea levels caused by global warming.

With the average cost of a wedding in the UK still continuing to rise and the change in traditional views, many couples are opting for a dream wedding in an exotic location. Around 50,000 British people get married abroad each year with many looking at the luxury holidays available in idyllic beach location of the Maldives.

This tropical paradise has long been known to hold some of the ultimate romantic honeymoon destinations. With the natural beauty of the island and the friendly and welcoming locals, it is not hard to see why the Maldives is picked as the perfect romantic hideaway.

More and more honeymooners are travelling to far flung destinations in search of luxury holidays. The Maldives, with its pristine palm fringed sandy beaches is becoming one the most desirable honeymoon destinations. Couples can choose to swim with the dolphins, snorkel in the crystal clear lagoons or to just indulge in the romantic atmosphere this beautiful island has to offer.

With just the right ingredients, the Maldives provides the perfect recipe for a wonderful honeymoon.

The paradise island of the Maldives is getting ready to host a concert being performed by the world famous American rapper Akon. This is causing much excitement among the locals of this luxury holidays hotspot destination.

The Maldives has stepped in at the last moment to play host as the singer was refused a visa to hold his concert in Sri Lanka. The wording of his song and images in his video were deemed as being “insensitive to Sri Lanka’s Buddhist cultural heritage”.

Akon has apologised for the content of his video to the Sri Lankan people. The Grammy nominated singer will perform at his sold out concert on April 24th in the islands capital Male. President Mohamed Nasheed said “we are very happy that he is coming to perform”.

In line with their general commitment to environmental issues the minister of foreign affairs, Dr Ahmed Shaheed, has signed the Maldives up to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Dr Shaheed was head of a deputation which attended the preparatory commission of IRENA in Egypt which will be held yesterday and will continue today.

The Maldives will now become part of the Agency which has 110 members who are all committed to the issues of climate change and implementing schemes to increase the usage of renewable energy.

The Maldives government collectively voted for the country’s involvement in the Agency.

The commitment to the environment is extensive within the Maldives and the luxury holiday industry is  embracing the challenge – resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives run with an environmental ethos which uses recycling methods and renewable energy resources.  

The Maldives has made it through to the final of The “7 Wonders of Nature” Campaign.

Of the 77 initial nominees, 27 have now been short-listed in the hope of winning the honour of becoming one of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature”.

The campaign is hosted by the Swiss based 7 Wonders Foundation.

This is a global poll and the results will be officially declared in 2011. Other nominations include Angel Falls, The Dead Sea, Galapagos and The Grand Canyon.

If you would like to the visit this luxury holiday destination to judge for yourself, Only Exclusive Travel feature several luxury resorts, including Soneva Fushi Maldives.

The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has been given the “Champion of the Earth” award from the United Nations for his implementation of solutions to environmental problems.

Present Nasheed has been well publicised for his plight to bring the threat of rising sea levels to the world’s attention and by attempting to make the luxury holidays destinations of the Maldives carbon neutral. He even went so far as to hold a cabinet meeting underwater to attract publicity.

The Maldives consists of 26 low laying atolls located in the Indian Ocean. President Nasheed said, on receiving the award, “It goes to show that by doing the right thing a small country can make a big impact on the world stage”.

Although the Maldives are traditionally associated with luxury holidays, the newly elected President has recently given the go ahead for the building of several larger hotels aimed at the mid-range holiday market.

Plans have been revealed for mid-range hotels and guest houses which are being planned in an attempt to combat the economic downturn.  It is hoped that by offering more affordable holiday options the country will attract a higher number of foreign visitors.

If you would like to visit the Maldives, Only Exclusive Travel, feature several luxury resorts including Soneva Fushi Maldives.

The president of the Maldives announced on Monday a proposal to apply a “green tax” on all tourists visiting the country.  The proposed tax of $3 a day for all tourists will help to fund the countries ambitious plans to be completely carbon neutral within 10 years.

The country is very vulnerable to the rising sea levels caused by climate change and the whole nation are getting behind the governments pledge including the luxury holiday market with resorts like Soneva Fushi contributing to ecological change.

The President of the Maldives has praised the Soneva Fushi resort upholding it as an example of how to achieve his environmental aims.  One of the principle aims of the government is to make the country entirely carbon-neutral within ten years through the implementation of wind and solar power schemes.  Soneva Fushi is already a long way there promising to be carbon neutral by next year and “carbon zero” by 2011.

The resort uses locally sourced material for building and grows its on produce for use in the kitchens, the air conditioning is provided through a cooling system which uses cold water from the ocean.  Everything at Soneva Fushi Maldives is recycled and a percentage of revenue is ploughed back into environmental schemes. 

The Maldives are well known for their spectacular marine life and diving is popular among tourist visiting the islands.

Last month the Maldives designated three new protected marine areas which are situated in significant feeding areas for Mantas and Whale Sharks.

The areas will be protected from fishing, speed boats and waste disposal.  It will however be possible to dive and snorkel in these areas.  There has been some objection from local fishermen although it has been argued that the tourists drawn by the marine life will provide an alternative income source for the fishermen.

The marine life and natural beauty of the islands draw visitors from all over the world and the islands have a thriving luxury holiday market.

The Maldives was nominated for the global campaign “New Seven Wonders of Nature” and the results will be announced in 2011.

The Maldives is undoubtedly a country of breathtaking beauty, popular as a luxury holidays destination, but it is competing for a place amongst 27 other finalists.

The Maldives is made up of a group of 1192 islands of which approximately 200 are inhabited.  It is a haven for tourists and has many up market resorts like Soneva Fushi.  The Maldives Tourism Promotion Bureau is encouraging,“all fans and supporters from home and abroad to create the best and most exciting campaign ever for Maldives to become a winner.”

In an article in The Times a reader asked whether the Maldives are a good place to learn to dive.  The answer provided a strong recommendation indeed.  The Maldives were described as one of the world’s top dive spot and praised for the variety of marine life as well as the high standards in dive school tuition available on the islands.  The islands are particularly good for learner divers because of the sheltered and shallow lagoons.

Only Exclusive Travel offer luxury holidays to the islands featuring resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives.

The Maldives, one of the smallest nations in the world but one of the most vulnerable to global warming, is setting an example to the rest of the world.

In a recent report by the BBC it was explained that, "The Maldives' charismatic young president is adept at highlighting their problem".  The attempts by the Maldives' government to bring the problem to our attention have been widely reported, like their recent underwater cabinet meeting.

Popular with people on luxury holidays, the Maldives lie perilously close to the sea level and many of the islands already suffer from serious coastal erosion.

The Maldives has switched to using renewable energy sources wherever possible in a bid to carbon neutrality.  The government of the island is trying to encourage those involved in tourism towards this end.  Historically the tourist industry has not been eco-friendly here, with luxury food items being flown in from abroad to satisfy the demands of visitors.

However, resorts like Soneva Fushi are making a very serious attempt to turn this around and to change the behaviour and attitudes of visitors.  With the catch phrase of “intelligent luxury” they are introducing initiatives like solar energy, growing the food used in their kitchens, sophisticated recycling systems and a cold water air conditioning system which uses water pumped from deep in the ocean to cool the air.

Leading by example the Maldives government hope to influence the rest of the world and lead the drive towards saving our planet.

It was announced this week that the waters surrounding the island paradise of the Maldives is to be made into a shark sanctuary.

The Maldives are not just renowned for luxury holidays but with over 30 species of sharks living in its warm waters it is a divers dream. Shark tourism contributes to a large part of the Maldives economy. “The Maldives were one of the first countries to recognise that sharks are a key reason tourists went to dive there”.

With many shark species under threat of extinction due to overfishing for their fins, mainly for shark fin soup, the Maldivian government have created a shark sanctuary making it illegal to fish for sharks. So it looks like divers who enjoy exploring the lagoons and reefs surrounding this stunning island, in search of sharks, won’t be disappointed.

It was reported yesterday that the President of the Maldives has signed a bill which sets out the legal foundation to allow a National Red Crescent Society to be established within the nation.

This move has been made in respect of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross Red Crescent following the devastating tsunami.

The Maldives is vulnerable to climate change and dramatic weather conditions because the islands low lying geography.

Its landscape is also extraordinarily beautiful and rich in marine life.  If you are keen to visit the Maldives, Only Exclusive Travel feature several luxury holiday resorts here including the environmentally friendly Soneva Fushi which is known as the resort which provides intelligent luxury.

The Maldives are well known for luxury holidays and small, intimate and very private spa resorts like Soneva Fushi.

By contrast, the largest spa in the Maldives, the Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort and Spa, has launched a new treatment menu.  The new treatments include a large variety of facial, body and massage therapies as well as lots of beauty treatments.

They are currently marketing January detox packages based on the annual treatments taken by the ancient Kings and Queens of India.  All treatments are delivered on a grand scale from 20 individual spa pavilions!

Large developing countries are under increasing pressure to act to address the causes of climate change. Ironically, it’s the smaller nations in the developing world, like the Maldives who are taking the problem most seriously, not the larger richer nations who are largely responsible for the issue.

At the Climate Vulnerable Forum which was held in the Maldives on the 10th November, 10 other countries pledged to follow the example of the Maldives by becoming carbon neutral within a specified time frame.

The work of the Maldives government is being supported throughout the island nation.  Those involved in providing luxury holidays, one of the countries main industries, are particularly committed.  Resorts like Soneva Fushi have implemented a range of ecologically sound initiatives in the drive towards carbon neutrality.

It was announced by the President of the Maldives earlier this month that he plans to make his country the first in the world to go completely carbon neutral.

His target is for the Maldives to meet all their energy needs from renewable sources like solar power and wind power within the next decade.

This beautiful and unique island paradise faces threat of being wiped out as sea levels rise unless the world community takes action to arrest the progress of climate change.

Only Exclusive Travel feature various luxury holiday resorts and hotels on the countries many islands including Soneva Fushi Maldives.

The Maldives, which is the most vulnerable country to rising sea levels due to global warming, is hosting a Summit of Vulnerable Countries early next month.  The 14 nations invited to the meeting are Bangladesh, Barbados, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Kiribati, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Tuvalu and Vietnam.

Representatives from other nations are also being invited as observers including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway Russia, Sweden, South Korea, the UK, and the USA.

The islands of the Maldives lie perilously close to the rising sea levels and are threatened by serious coastal erosion.  The nation are working hard to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by next years deadline and the initiatives are being embraced by the luxury holidays industry with resorts like Soneva Fushi working hard to achieve the national goals.

The President of the Maldives has announced his aim to increase food production to 20% thus reducing the reliance on imported food products.  He wants to make farming a productive and economically viable occupation.

The President is only too aware of the shortages of both land and water in the country and has said that they should learn from other countries in the region who use techniques like hydroponic farming.

Similarly, the President is also committed to carbon neutrality and some of the luxury holiday resorts on the islands have taken up this goal and in relation to food production have become almost self sufficient.  One example is Soneva Fushi Maldives.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration figures are suggesting that tourist numbers to the luxury holiday islands of the Maldives finally started to rise in August.  The figures indicate a 1% increase in the number of tourists visiting the Maldives in August this year compared to last year.

The figures showed the occupancy figures for holiday resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives.

Figures from 85 resorts in Maldives with a total of 19,428 beds were collated, and occupancy rates for August 2009 were at 66.9 percent. Tourists had on average spent 8.8 nights in the Maldives.

The Maldives are not only faceing the prospect of sinking beneath the waves because of climate change but now have serious trouble with their economy.

The President has recently said that the luxury holiday destination is facing its worst economic challenge ever.  The country relies heavily on tourism and bookings have been down because of the global recession.

The President has recently announced that the the budget deficit has shot to a record 34% of gross domestic product and the country also faced a serious shortage of foreign currency because of the drop in holiday-makers visiting the archipelago.

The drop in bookings could be good news of last minute travellers as tour operators offer discounted holidays to resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives.

The Maldives Ministry of Tourism has amended its negative forecast from a 15% decline in visitors to only a 10% decline.  The countries tourism industry seems to have coped well during the first half of the year and current visitor numbers are predicted to be 632,600 for the year.

Earlier predictions were based on the worsening global recession and forecasts from the United Nations Tourism Organisation which expected tourism in South Asia to be badly affected.

However, it appears that since July visitor numbers are picking up.  This is attributed to special offers and deals which many holiday resorts and hotels are offering.

The assistant executive manager at Soneva Fushi said that the resorts occupancy is high and many visitors are making last minute bookings.  He pointed out that the occupancy levels at the luxury holiday resort are at about 80% which is not dissimilar to last year’s figures.

In 2004 the Maldives, like many nations was affected by the Tsunami. Over the past weeks local authorities have played host to experts from the Israel Foreign Ministry's Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV).

This team of professionals have set up workshops in order to educate the emergency services in the Maldives. They hope to pass on their knowledge and experience in areas such as emergency medicine, evacuation and agriculture. The Israeli's hope that this will allow the two nations to develop “joint protocols for times of emergency”.

The Tsunami was a natural disaster which had devastating effects. In order to be prepared for times of emergency, the staff for all the luxury holidays in the Maldives, such as the resorts in Soneva Fushi are taking the opportunity to educate itself and be prepared for unforeseen events.

Male International Airport (MIA), on the luxury holidays destination of the Maldives, has recently released new and exciting plans for the expansion of its existing facilities and runway.

Malaysian company MAHB has revealed that they have won the contract to extend the current airport located on the island of HuHule. The company stated that “With its tourism potential and expansion growth in passenger movement, the MIA is an extremely profitable airport with a high revenue model”.

Male Airport is the first port of call for travellers to this beautiful island paradise. With its stunning beaches, great diving facilities, perfect climate and high quality resorts, such as Soneva Fushi, the Maldives is fast becoming a tourist hot spot. It is unique in that it is a sea plane port. As the islands tourism flourishes there is huge potential for the island to increase its tourist revenue. The airport needs to be updated as it expands to keep up with increased passenger traffic.
 

Before you even touch down at Male International airport you will feel like you holiday has already begun. Gazing out of the window you can’t help but be amazed at the stunning islands and the crystal clear azure sea which the Maldives is renowned for.

Male airport is compact but it prides itself on being friendly and efficient.  International flights land on the Huhule Island or “Airport Island” as it is known locally. As the Maldives is made up of over 1000 atolls, holiday makers are whisked away by sea plane or speedboat. What a better way for visitors to begin their luxury holidays in style.

Many of the major airlines travel to the Maldives from the UK. Sri Lankan Airlines and British Airways both operate direct flights from the UK and other airlines such as, Emirates, Singapore and Qatar offer non-direct flights. As this paradise island grows in popularity as a luxury holidays destination, charter flights from the UK, such as Monarch and Thompson, make the Maldives an affordable option.

After the completion of Take That’s grueling Circus Tour, Mark Owen was photographed by Hello Magazine relaxing on holiday with his family in Mauritius this weekend.

Mauritius is a popular luxury holiday destination and is frequently visited by the rich and famous.

If you’re interested in a holiday on this idyllic, paradise island, Only Exclusive Travel features several stunning resorts here including Le Touessrok.

Reaz Chutto, President of the Confederation of Private Sector Workers states that 'following the economic crisis, the textile market in Mauritius is suffering'. Unemployment in Mauritius rose to 8% in the first quarter of 2009.

Mauritius is repatriating thousands of Bangladeshi workers in order to encourage local firms to employ Mauritians.

Along with clothing manufacturing, the luxury holiday market is seen as a traditional pillar of the islands £9 billion economy. Resorts, such as, Le Touessrok, provide an opportunity to sample Mauritian hospitality at its best. This unique hotel makes for an incredibly special holiday in the most elegant and luxurious of hideaways whilst also helping to contribute to the local economy.
 

Mauritius is an island set in the Indian Ocean.  It is approximately 530 miles from the Madagascan shore.  It is a densely forested volcanic island and at its highest point rises to more than 800 metres above sea level.  The island boasts 100 miles of exceptionally beautiful white sandy beaches.

The climate is tropical and it is generally sunny here but if you are visiting between December and April expect some rain.

If you are interested in visiting Mauritius, Only Exclusive Travel, feature several luxury holiday destination including One&Only Le Saint Geran and Le Touessrok Mauritius.

There can be no doubt that Mauritius is an enthralling island paradise.  Surrounded by the azure Indian Ocean it boosts beautiful pure white sandy beaches and many hotels perfect for luxury holidays. 

The island has abundant historic sights, a diverse culture and interesting geographic variations.  The people of Mauritius are relaxed and charming, offering visitors the warmest of welcomes.

Only Exclusive Travel feature several luxury holiday hotels on Mauritius including Le Touessrok Mauritius.

The luxury holiday resort of Le Touessrok on Mauritius has been described as the ultimate hideaway for 'privacy, peace and tranquillity'.

Benefiting from high luxury accommodation, Le Touessrok's prime objective is to provide its guests with an unforgettable experience. Set in in lush and tropical gardens. With superior views of the Indian ocean. This resort provides the ultimate in seclusion and relaxation.

Le Touessrok lies on a spectacular lagoon on the east coat of Mauritius. Not only does it boast a high quality professional golf course but also a luxurious spa. With its perfect white sandy beaches this resort can provide the perfect atmosphere not only for honeymoon couples but for those wishing to experience modern elegance against a back drop of traditional Mauritian culture.

Mauritius is to develop a new water system to distribute water to its residents, visitors and industry.  The development programme will introduce legislation to specify the volume of water that each resident is entitled to receive.

Currently about 99% of the population have access to a water supply but the rapidly developing economy particularly in the luxury holiday industry, with resorts like Le Touessrok, will make a judicious use of water essential in the future.

The programme will also include the construction of two additional dams which will be in operation by 2013.

The tropical island of Mauritius is located in the Indian ocean just off the coast of Madagascar. With its superior white beaches and crystal clear water its the ideal luxury holiday destination.

The island is served by only one international airport known as the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport. Sir Seewoosagur is a prominent figure in Mauritian history as he brought about the islands independence in 1968.

The airport is the base for the national carrier of the island, Air Mauritius. The airline operates regional and international services to over 30 destinations with 80 flights per week.

British Airways, South African Airlines, Air France and Air Europe are just some of the international airlines which fly to the island. With the influx of other airlines , the paradise island of Mauritius is now perceived as an accessible luxury holiday destination.

The island nation of Mauritius, whose economy relies heavily on the luxury holiday industry with resorts like Le Touessrok, has bid to host a new international data center which will be cooled by sea water.

Mauritius has bid to become the key hub connecting Africa, Asia and the Middle East with plans for an Eco-Park which will use a complex system which relies on sea water to cool it.  The process will use water from the deep water currents which lie about two miles off the shores of Mauritius.

Mauritius has been selected to host a Super Speciality Regional Hospital. This will allow the island to improve its link with the rest of the of the African medical community.

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital will receive improved satellite and fibre-optic networks. This initiative will allow hospitals, in the Pan African e-network, to pool their resources and to provide support in diagnostic procedures and data processing.

With their improved Health Service and a developing ICT infrastructure,  Mauritius remains as one of the worlds top luxury holiday destinations. Only Exclusive Travel features several resorts here including Le Touessrok.

Mauritius enjoys a perenially sunny climate, in general. Midwinter occurs in June and July with midday temperatures of 25 degrees Celcius on the coast and 19 degrees Celcius on the plateau. Midsummer occurs in January and February with midday temperatures around 25 degrees Celcius on the plateau and 31 degrees Celcius on the coast.

Situated on the island of Mauritius Le Touessrok is known as the eighth wonder of the world – the jewel in the Indian Ocean.

The hotel looks much the same as it always has from the outside but the interior has metamorphosised over the years from traditional Mauritian to modern, minimalist and contemporary style fitting of this luxury holiday destination.

With accommodation of an incredibly high standard this resort is often frequented by the rich and famous.  Standards are high and your every need is catered for by immaculately dressed staff.

With beautiful beaches, watersports and spa, this unique hotel makes for an incredibly special luxury holiday. Le Touessrok is a tranquil haven of elegant hideaways – here you will have your own beautiful terraced room set in stunning gardens at the water’s edge.

You’ll be able to explore the wonders of the natural world in style and opulence, with opportunities to scuba-dive, snorkel, fish or dolphin-watch. Or simply recline by the beach, drink in the view and chill out with a book.

From September Mauritius will host a Google cache server. This will enable Mauritians not only to be able to access google quicker but also Mauritian internet sites.

Kenya was the first of the African nations to have access to google. With the introduction of google to Mauritius the international community will hopefully see that this African region has a solid ICT infrastructure and connectivity.

Google has also begun to offer Mauritian Creole enabling all Mauritians access to this powerful search engine.

This can only be good news not only for locals but tourists visiting this luxury holiday destination. Allowing resorts such as Le Touessrok to offer additional services to their already high quality package.

Visitor arrivals to Mauritius have continued to fall in the period between January and October this year.  Blamed on the global economic downturn arrivals fell by 9% during this period.  The impact has been felt in the luxury holidays market as well as in other areas.

The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) released a statement which said that tourist numbers for this period fell to 689,082 from 757,688.

This is not bad news for travellers though as luxury resorts and hotels, like Le Touessrok, have been offering big reductions.

A big marketing campaign is being implemented and investment is planned by the government on the international airport and cruise-liner terminal in drive to increase revenue from tourism.

With Easter fast approaching millions of Brits are expected to getaway in search of warmer weather on luxury holidays or just to take advantage of the long Easter weekend and have a short city break.

The most popular European destinations are reported to be Spain followed by Tenerife and the Canary Islands. According to many travel agents holidays in Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey are selling well along with long haul destinations such as, Florida and the Dominican Republic. With an unexpected cold snap hitting Europe, skiers are grabbing the opportunity to hit the slopes with Switzerland, France and Italy being the most popular.

ABTA estimates that a record number of passengers will travelling from the UK airports. It is predicted that over 575,000 passengers will travel through Heathrow, Gatwick and Standstead this week. 200,000 travellers are expected to take to the air from airports in Manchester and Birmingham.

ABTA Chairman john McEwan said “Easter is the traditional curtain raiser to the summer and I am delighted to see that hundreds of thousands of our customers are taking the opportunity to take a well earned break both here in the UK and overseas”.

With the advent and popularity of the internet it has become apparent that more travellers are booking online for luxury holidays through to weekend breaks.

Could this spell the end for the high street travel agents? A recent survey showed that 63% of respondents book their holidays online, 29% said they would compare travel agency and online prices and only 8% would not trust the internet.

So what has caused this shift? One big draw to booking online means the customer does not have to leave their own home. The ease of shopping for the best bargains from the comfort of your own home is irresistible. No trudging in the rain or trying to find a parking space, booking online makes perfect sense. Consumers, when asked, also felt they get a larger choice on the net and can compare prices to get the best value for money.

The question now is as the majority of households in the UK own a computer could this mean the end of the traditional high street travel agent? Perhaps there is a place for both only time will tell.

 Recent figures show that there has been a 17% drop in UK travellers heading overseas for luxury holidays and family vacations.

The recent recession coupled with the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland causing major disruption to the airlines, UK holidaymakers are opting to take a break in the UK. A recent survey showed that Eastbourne on the south coast of England came out on top as the most popular holiday destination. The Cotswolds fared well as did cities Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

The UK has some great places to go visit but unfortunately holidaymakers are put off by the unpredictable British weather. So put on a coat, pack an umbrella and go out and discovery the best countryside, glorious beaches and historical sites that are on our doorstep.

On top of the possible strike by BA cabin crew there is likely to be more misery for Christmas travellers as the Scottish Airline Globspan go into administration.

Confirmation of whether the BA strike will go ahead will be given at around 2 pm today after a court hearing.  A strike by BA will affect long haul, short haul, luxury holidays and mid-range holiday travellers alike causing disappointment and heartache at this time of year.

At the same time thousands of passengers who were looking forward to travelling with Scotland’s largest travel group this festive season are facing disappointment as the group called in the administrators last night.

Flyglobspan, Globspan's airline, has said that it will be unable to fly stranded passengers home and around 5,000 passengers who were expecting to travel in the next few days are being told to contact the Civil Aviation Authority or the travel agent they arranged their flights with for advice.

Customers who booked using credit cards have been advised to refer to the terms and conditions for their credit card company as they may be entitled to a refund.

A recent travel article highlighted the growing trend towards multi-generational travel and pointed out several resorts which it considered ideal in appealing across the generations – young and old.

One of the resorts mentioned was the Raffles Resort Canouan Island.  This is an unusual destination in that it is still relatively undiscovered by the masses – as the article points out most people have never even heard of it and that’s part of its attraction.  Canouan Island is one of the paradise islands which make up St Vincent and the Grenadines.  It’s typical of its type with pristine white sand and an emerald sea rich in sea life.  The Raffles Resort is a charming seaside village with a European charm and style.  It certainly is a resort which is suitable for all the family.

If you are interested in travelling here the resort is featured by Only Exclusive Travel along with many other luxury holidays.

This week the Maldives celebrates its National Day. This day was introduced to recognise their independence from the British on July 26th 1965. It wasn't until 1968 that the country became a Republic.

Maldives is the smallest Asian country in terms of both area and population. The predominant religion of the island is Islam.

Some believe the name Maldives means  “garland of islands” whereas other scholars claim it translates as “island of women”.

Although banking, shipping and manufacturing in the Maldives is growing, the staple industries are still fishing and tourism. It relies heavily on its luxury holiday market with unique resorts such as, Soneva Fushi.

If you are planning a diving holiday in the Caribbean, a new guide called "Scuba Caribbean" could help you explore new destinations.

The book, by Mary Peachin, has a section on Mexico's Caribbean coastline, including Quintana Roo, Cozumel, Cancun, Rivera Maya and Cenotes of the Yucatan, as well as chapters on more than two dozen islands, including Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Martin, the Bahamas and Bermuda. The book also includes a section on Central and South American destinations with Caribbean coastlines — Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela's Los Roques Archipelago.

"Scuba Caribbean" notes that "the region's diving is as diverse as the islands themselves. Below the sea, an underwater photographer's wonderland of colorful reefs and marine diversity awaits." Terrain ranges from "steep, bottomless walls" to "cliff overhangs, caverns and swim-throughs."

The book is highly recommended to anyone who is planning a scuba diving trip whether it's part of a luxury holiday or a budget back packing trip.

The biggest airline to fly to the Canouan Islands, LIAT, has recently scheduled new flights from Barbados and Grenada to the island.  

LIAT have begun offering three weekly flights from both Barbados and Grenada.  This may be of interest to travellers planning a luxury holiday at the Raffles Resort,Canouan Island.

The Canouan Airport runway was recently developed and extended to allow for the increase in daily flights.  Several other airlines serve Canouan include American Eagle (from San Juan), Mustique (from Barbados), and SVG Air (from Barbados and St. Vincent).

The Six Senses Resorts in the Maldives and Sri Lank have a new MD.  Newly promoted Alan Thomas has been promoted from the position of General Mananger at the Six Senses Hideaway and Evason Hua Hin, Thailand.

His new role will include overseeing Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili as well as the Six Senses Latitude Laamu which is scheduled to be opening in early 2010.

Alan an international hotelier with over 30 years experience in the luxury holiday business having worked in a variety of locations and premier hotels worldwide.

Another new luxury holiday resort has opened in the Maldives to join those like Soneva Fushi Maldives.

The resort is part of the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts group and is called the Villingili Resort and Spa.

Like others of its kind it has many stilted villas which sit above the aqua marine Indian Ocean and provide the ultimate privacy and simple luxury to guests.  It also has several tree house villas with private infinity pools set into wooden decking.

If you are interested in a holiday in this unique and special location, Only Exclusive Travel feature several resorts here.

A new tourism academy is to be established in South East Cornwall.  A partnership of schools and colleges have been given £3.5 million to set up the new academy which will teach diploma courses related to the travel industry.

The scheme includes learning languages as well as experiencing the travel industry at all levels from the luxury holidays to mass marketed holidays. 

The Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium (IOCS) is under way. Scientists from all over the globe are attending this important gathering hosted by the Maldives Marine Research Centre.

Cetacean is the collective name for whales, porpoises and dolphins. The discovery of a new species of whale, which is be announced at the meeting, is in fact a species that was originally discovered in Male in1963 but it has not been officially recognised until now.

The capture of cetaceans has been banned in the Maldives since 1993. The purpose of the symposium is to 'encourage scientists to collaborate on their research'.

The luxury holiday market in the Maldives has seen to have a delicate relationship with the environment. Resorts such as Soneva Fushi embraces conservation projects especially in relation to local marine life.
 

The drama of Hong Kong is played out on its streets, round the clock: noodle-vendors, hair-cutters, bargain-hawkers, bone-setters and fortune-tellers. Here is all the excitement, mystery, glamour and clamour of the Orient-without the inconvenience. Lavish home comforts ease the visitor's culture shock amid junks and sampans, black pyjamas and coolie hats, chopsticks and joss sticks. Packed into skyscrapers and double-deck trams and buses, the people of Hong Kong - 98 % are Chinese - live fast and work hard in this hotbed of capitalism and commerce. The only thing you might miss in the over-populated metropolis is solitude. But you can sail to a deserted isle: Hong Kong has a couple of hundred to spare. 

The harmony between old and new, East and West, in Hong Kong is endlessly fascinating. With 5,000 years of Chinese traditions, 150 years of British colonial influence and boundless energy to embrace and shape the future, this is a truly unique city and a delight to explore. Hong Kong is constantly changing so, even if you have been before, you are sure to find something new and exciting on your next visit.

Hong Kong holiday highlights:

• The food - with an incredible 9,000 restaurants to choose from, this is a dining mecca and the capital of Cantonese cooking, considered the finest of all Chinese regional cuisines.
  
• The events - Hong Kong hosts a full calendar of spectacular events, including Winterfest, Chinese New Year and the Hungry Ghosts Festival. Plan your visit around one.
  
• The fresh air! - Areas of extraordinary beauty, home to exotic and rare flora and fauna, lie just beyond the skyscrapers.
• The shopping - Hong Kong offers the most incredible contrast of shopping experiences, from bustling oriental markets to ultra-modern malls, selling everything from ancient Chinese medicine to video iPod.
  

If you fancy an original luxury holiday next year why not consider Hong Kong as your luxury destination.

Holidaymakers worried about travelling to Israel or Egypt this winter, will not be covered by their insurance if they cancel their trip.

Insurance companies confirmed that while there remains no blanket ban from the Foreign Office advising against all travel to Israel, then policies will not cover cancellation or curtailment or holidays, despite growing unrest in the region. At present the Foreign Office advises against all travel to Gaza, and all but essential travel to Hebron and the West Bank. However this does not include Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho and the Jordan Valley. It does warn that there remains a "high threat from terrorism" in the region, and in Israel in particular, and urges travellers to be vigilant.

A spokeswoman for Direct Line said that if the Foreign Office advises against all travel to a particular region, most policyholders will be able to claim back the cost of their pre-booked holiday. In such cases travel agents or tour operators may offer alternatives. But if the guidance from the FCO remains the same then this will not apply. A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said that standard travel insurance would not reimburse holidaymakers who were simply worried about travelling to a region. These risks should have been assessed when first booking the trip.

Holidaymakers should also be aware that most insurance policies automatically exclude any claims that are the result of terrorism or civil unrest. This would include claims for flying home early following a terrorist incident, medical expenses, damaged possessions, such as camera, or the cost of arranging alternative accommodation. A spokeswoman said: "Terrorism and civil unrest are not an insured peril as it is virtually impossible to accurately assess the risk holidaymakers face in certain parts of the world. Therefore it is excluded on most standard travel insurance policies."

Whether the insurer would pay out would depend on the nature of the incident and the numbers of affected. However, not all insurers follow the same line. Some insurers will offer cover for medical expenses and repatriation if you are injured following a terrorist attack. A handful of insurers do not contain any terrorism exclusions in their small print.

A travel industry report, focused on the countries of the Asia Pacific region, has reported that during November 2009 the majority of countries experienced an increase in visitor numbers.

The initial finding from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) show that Vietnam was the country which experienced the greatest growth during this period with an increase of 37% on the number of visitors reported last year.

Other countries including increased visitor number included Thailand (up 26%), Malaysia (up 11%) and Singapore (up by 8%).

Less significant growth levels were also reported in Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives whilst figures for India indicated a decline of 1% on visitor numbers compared to last year.

The preliminary results for December for the region, popular for luxury holidays, appear to show that the recovery is continuing

The Middle Eastern luxury holidays destination of Oman is usually overshadowed by its neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi but Oman is a remarkable country in its own right.

Oman’s capital is Muscat. It has stayed true to its roots by maintaining its traditional buildings rather than having a skyline dominated by skyscrapers. His majesty Sultan Qaboor Bin Said remarked that “I reaffirm the necessity to give tourism a priority in the future...Our dear country posses such splendid tourist assets such as its heritage, natural beauty, perfect environment, folklore and traditional industries”.

With its diverse terrain of deserts, mountains and coastal regions, Oman offers a variety of activities from diving to trekking, rock climbing to camel racing. It is a unique and exciting destination just waiting to be discovered.

The tourist authority in Oman has set out its target to quadruple the number of visitors to the country by 2020 to 12 million annually.  In spite of the economic downturn the Sultanate of Oman is investing £7 billion in several new tourism projects.

The plans include the development of 10 new resorts in Oman over the next 5 years.  A number of upmarket resorts have opened recently attracting visitors from the luxury holiday market.

Muscat’s main airport is currently being developed with the addition of a new runway.

The Maldives is a country made up of a series of almost 1,200 islands.  Most of these islands are uninhabited but the ones that are populated have become popular amongst tourists taking luxury holidays.  The Maldives is one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in the world.  The islands are set within the stunning azure Indian Ocean and are fringed by perfectly white sandy beaches. 

However, the coral islands are becoming increasingly vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by global warming.  Remarkably they sit no more than 1.8 (six feet) above sea level.  There are real and tangible fears that the islands will eventually be swamped and will disappear below sea level.

Over the last year the Maldivian President has campaigned tirelessly both internationally and at home to introduce measures to arrest the affects of climate change.  He was a prominent figure at the recent Copenhagen talks on climate change.  He has pledged to make his country carbon neutral and is trying to encourage other more powerful industrialized nations to follow suit.

The attempts to become carbon neutral have been taken up enthusiastically by the holiday industry, one of the major economies of the Maldives, and resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives have introduced many initiatives to contribute towards the cause.

There is no bad time to visit the Maldives. The weather all year remains at at a remarkably constant 30c making this a very fashionable luxury holiday destination to visitors from all over world.

The low season is May to November which is also the rainy season. Humidity is high but it is still pleasantly warm. The tourist season is at its peak in February through to April when the weather is at its hottest.

The surf seasons runs from March to October. Diving, however, is accessible all year round. Along with palm-fringed beaches diving in the pristine coal reefs is one of the Maldives main attractions to visitors from overseas. 

So whatever your reasons for visiting this luxury holiday island check out what Only Exclusive Holidays has to offer, like Soneva Fushi Maldives.

Flights to Paris resumed yesterday morning after overnight storms forced the cancellation of all flights in and out of the French capital.  All travellers had their flights cancelled including those on business,luxury holidays and low budget family holidays.

Winds of nearly 90 miles per hour forced the closure of Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Le Bourget airports from around 7pm last night, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

It was the first time that the city’s airport had closed in 34 years.

Air France has said that around 3,000 of its passengers were taken to local hotels following the disruption, although reports suggest that hundreds of other travellers were forced to spend the night in airport terminals.
Ferry crossings between Brittany and its nearby islands were also halted, while Brittany Ferries cancelled its service from Roscoff to Plymouth.

Some flights to and from Nantes, Rennes and Brest airports were also cancelled due to the inclement weather.

Airline passengers are entitled to compensation when a plane is cancelled because of a technical fault, a court has ruled. In a landmark judgment, the European Court of Justice said that airlines must pay up unless the technical fault was due to exceptional circumstances - such as terrorism or sabotage.

The ruling was a victory for both consumer groups and the European Commission which has accused airlines of frequently trying to sidestep their legal obligations. Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat's transport spokesman, hailed the court decision. "It is completely sensible. Train passengers are entitled to compensation, why should the same not apply to people who use airlines." The European Commission has set out detailed rules governing passengers' rights to compensation when flights are cancelled, severely delayed or when people are denied boarding because the flight has been overbooked.

This test case, which centred on when a flight was cancelled, was brought by an Austrian family. They took action when their Alitalia flight from Vienna to Rome was cancelled five minutes before it was scheduled to take off. As a result they missed a connecting flight to Brindisi. The airline refused to pay £232 (250 Euros) compensation or £9.28 (10 Euros) for a phone call, claiming that the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances. But the judges decided that the airline's definition of such circumstances - " a complex engine defect in the turbine" - did not excuse it of the obligation to compensate passengers.

The judgment means that airlines will no longer be able to use routine technical problems as an excuse for trying to sidestep their legal obligation to passengers. It ruled: "An air carrier may not as a general rule refuse to pay compensation to passengers following the cancellation of a flight on account of technical problems in the aircraft." "Compensation may however be refused if the technical problems stem from events which, by their nature or origin, are not inherent in the normal exercise of the activity of the air carrier and are beyond its actual control".

Planning a holiday on a budget doesn’t mean that luxury holidays are out of reach. With the current worldwide economic crisis there are many bargains to be found. However, if your budget is restricted there a few guidelines to follow to ensure you have a good quality, value for money holiday.

Package holidays are great if you don’t have the time to plan everything separately. All the ground work has been done for you saving you time and money. There are many offers around if you know where to look, there is no need to compromise on quality. The internet is a valuable source of research as is the high street travel agent.

With the present low exchange rates, holidays outside of the EU can be economical and provide you with the opportunity to travel to places you that have previously been out of your price range. If it’s the EU you want, Spain and Portugal are good value for money at the moment.

Travelling midweek and also out of school holidays can you save you as much as 40% on flights. Also if you are flexible on dates there are definite bargains to be found, especially if you travel last minute. Finally after the fiasco of the volcanic ash, booking a holiday on a cruise or travelling by ferry can be a sensible and economical option.

As plans are underway to introduce a high speed rail network to the UK there are some who are dubious this idea will not be worthwhile and disagree with the current proposals.

As more cars take to the road, congestion is a common sight and government plans to widen and improve the road seem to be non-existent. In turn this only encourages travellers to use the train to avoid Britain’s busy roads. As extra surcharges are increasing the price of air travel and road users are being charged more, rail travel seems the affordable option.

Plans to open high speed rail links are due to for completion in 2026. It is expected more travellers will use the railways for convenience and ease. Figures show more people in the UK are using the rail network. Previously in years gone by travelling by train has always held a special appeal. Luxury holidays on trains, such as, The Orient Express have captured the public’s imagination. In India there has been a revamp and revival of the railway system introducing package holidays on special trains, offering luxurious accommodation with the added personal touch.

It’s been reported that Portuguese hotels have seen a 20% decline in bookings during February this year.  The decline is being blamed on the global economic downturn.

The National Statistics Institute concluded that hotel revenues had fallen by 20% to 84.4 million Euros in February this year compared to figures for last year.

If you are interested in travelling to Portugal, Only Exclusive Travel, feature a number of luxury holiday hotels and resorts in the country like the Hotel Quinta do Lago and the Sheraton Algarve.

United Airlines announced this week, at the Reuters Travel and Leisure Summit in New York that they are open to the idea of merging with another U.S or European carrier.

This sentiment was also expressed by U.S Airways. However, Chief Financial Officer, Derek Kerr said that they would not be considering a merger with a foreign airline as “this would not help the domestic market”. He went on to add that with airlines in the U.S having lost over $50 billion in the last ten years,” consolidation is one of the major ways this industry can become profitable”.

The five major U.S carriers are United Airlines, Delta Airlines, American and Continental Airlines and U.S Airways. These airlines hold the majority of domestic routes in the U.S. They are also key players in the global market, offering competitive routes and prices for luxury holidays, business trips or just family vacations.

The President of the Maldives has had a meeting with David Cameron, the Conservative Party Leader.  They discussed several issues including the way in which climate change is affecting the Maldives.

The Maldives lie incredibly close to sea level and are vulnerable to rising sea levels.  They have a growing problem with coastal erosion.  The President of the Maldives has been the driving force behind lots of initiatives to halt or at least arrest global warming in an attempt to protect his nation.

The country as a whole has got behind these initiatives with industries like tourism doing their bit.  Within the luxury holiday market resorts like Soneva Fushi are implementing lots of ecologically friendly initiatives like their eco-central recycling centre.  They market themselves as a resort which offers intelligent-luxury and is committed to sustaining the local environment.

The President of the Maldives, Mahamed Nasheed arrived home yesterday after his visit to the UK.

The Maldives are under constant threat from rising sea levels and the president was in the UK to take part in the Oxford University’s World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment.  He has also attended the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Conference on Climate Change.

The economy of the Maldives is hugely reliant on tourism and the island nation is a big player in the European luxury holiday market.  They are now turning their attention to tourism initiatives which compliment the drive to fight global warming like the Soneva Fushi resort.

It’s essential that the Maldives highlight the threat to the islands now in order to try to sustain the unique and beautiful environment for future generations.

The President of the Maldives has issued a plea to other nations about greenhouse gases.  He called for other nations to “Please, don’t be stupid” and urged them to act decisively against climate change.

Earlier this year he pledged that the Maldives would become carbon neutral within 10 years.  He argued that if a small and relatively poor country like the Maldives can make this promise then other larger nations should be able to as well.

The whole of the Maldives is getting involved in the push for carbon neutrality with eco-friendly luxury holiday resorts like Soneva Fushi making a huge effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

The president will address the Climate Change summit in Copenhagen in December.  He said,

"The world has an opportunity to come together and prevent the looming environmental catastrophe," Nasheed said. "This opportunity as we all know is called Copenhagen, and let’s be very frank about this: Copenhagen can be one of two things. It can be an historic event where the world unites against carbon pollution in a collective spirit of cooperation and collaboration, or Copenhagen can be a suicide pact. The choice is that stark. My message to you, my message to the world is simply this: please don’t be stupid."

Earlier this month Prince Andrew visited the paradise islands of the Maldives popular for luxury holidays.

The Prince was greeted by President Mohamed Nasheed and his Vice President and their wives.

Reports haven’t disclosed where the Prince stayed during his visit which was for unofficial business.

The Prince also visited the Maldives in 2008, although this was also an unofficial visit, the Prince met with President Nasheed to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations.

Cambodia is still identified by its shocking history and is burdened with the legacy of decades of conflict.

But despite this it is also hosts one of the greatest archaeological sites in Asia. The imposing temple at Angkor is set in a vast forested area which contains the remains of different Khmer monuments. Once home to the largest civilisation in the East, its hard to imagine that this archaeological site has been hidden form the rest of the modern wold and layed undiscovered for so long.

If you are looking for a luxury holiday with plenty of culture and historical interest, Only Exclusive Travel feature the La Résidence d'Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap.  This is a beautifully exotic, traditional hotel which offers all the luxury that the modern traveller could want.  The hotel set within a leafy walled garden and within close proximity to the temples of Angkor.

The Maldives is made up of a chain of nearly 1,200 islands, most of them uninhabited, which lie off the coast of India.

The coral islands are vulnerable to the rising sea levels caused by global warming because none of them are more than 1.8 metres (six feet) above sea level.  There is a fear that as sea levels rise, island countries such as the Maldives, and some Pacific territories, will simply be swamped and disappear.

With its abundant sealife and beautiful white sandy beaches the Maldives are a tropical paradise.  Naturally, the economy here revolves around tourism and scores of the islands have developed at the luxury holiday end of the market and the Maldives had evolved especially as a  luxury honeymoon destination.

Only Exclusive Travel feature several hotels and resorts on the Maldives including Soneva Fushi, Dhoni Island and the Conrad Maldives Resort and Spa.

The Maldives Conchology Association has enabled a rare collection of sea shells to be displayed, some of which were collected along the sea shores of the luxury holiday islands of the Maldives.

The shells are from a private collection owned by Maldivian residents Ahmed Majid and Shaheem Naieeb.   There are approximately 400 shells in the collection – some originated in the Maldives and others are from France, the USA and Thailand. 

The shells collected in the Maldives illustrate how rich in sea life the waters around the islands are.  Some of the shells are so rare that they have yet to be given names.

A recent article in Travel Weekly indicated that whilst consumers may be trying to economise at the moment there are some fantastic deals around in the luxury hotel market.

They gave the example of the upmarket hotel chain Malmaison to illustrate this argument.  According to the article a room cost £200 back in 2007 and now you can get an off peak deal for as little as £10 a night (subject to conditions which stipulate a certain level of spending in the hotels restaurants).

This trend is certainly mirrored in the luxury holiday market and there are loads of really good deals to be had.  Check out the offers with Only Exclusive Travel which include holidays to luxury resorts like Soneva Fushi in the Maldives.

A recent article for a travel publication has indicated that some luxury holiday resorts seem to be recession proof – Aspen, St-Tropez, Marbella and Capri were given as examples.  Apparently the number of visitors this season to Gstaad, the upmarket ski resort in Switzerland, ranked among the highest of the last 10 winters.

On Mustique bookings remain at a similar level to last year but the amount individuals are spending has grown.  It’s thought that resorts which have always attracted the privileged including royalty and rock stars are more recession proof than others.

If you are interested in travelling to Mustique, Only Exclusive Travel offer breaks to the Cotton House and the Exclusive Villas of Mustique.

Two British rowers have finally completed their record breaking challenge to row across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius.

James Thysse from Lower Earley and friend Jamie Facer-Childs from Maidenhead who are both 22 years old took on the challenge even though neither had done any rowing before last year.  After a difficult journey, including a capsize, they finally arrived on Mauritius having taken 103 days to complete the challenge.

They have now been reunited with their families on the island and are enjoying a well earned break here.  Mauritius, which is set in the azure Indian Ocean, boast beautiful white sandy beaches and many luxury holiday resorts like Le Touessrok.

When visiting South Africa, what better way to experience the unique opportunity to observe a large diversity of wild animals in their natural habitat, than by going on an African Safari?

Experience the stunning scenery and fascinating culture this beautiful and unique country has to offer. You can chose to stay in exclusive luxury accommodation where your every need is catered for and where you can sample South Africa’s renowned fine wines and sumptuous cuisine. Or if you are feeling more adventurous, how about spending the night in the African bush in specially designed tents or sleep under the stars. Whatever your budget, tailor made safaris can be designed to suit your requirements.

A safari in South Africa is not complete without spotting The Big 5-The Lion, Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Leopard and Elephant. Although there are numerous excellent game reserves on offer, the most popular is The Kruger National Park, offering the chance to see a large variety of wildlife and habitats. Whether it is a guided tour you are after or you are an intrepid explorer and want to go it alone, the luxury holidays destination of South Africa won’t fail to impress you.

As the dreaded school holidays descend on us plenty of parents are contemplating how to entertain the children as cheaply and as easily as possible. With the recent global economic situation more families are opting to stay in the UK this summer.

A recent survey discovered that an average family spends around £330 on entertaining the children this summer, totalling over £5.6 million. Due to the recent credit crunch many families are trying are look for an alternative to foreign luxury holidays by either finding a last minute bargain or holidaying in the UK.

When surveyed over 53% of families choosing to stay in the UK said that they will visit a theme park this summer, 45% will be going swimming in the local pool whilst 31% said they would be having a day out bowling. If you use your imagination there are numerous activities to entertain children over the long school holidays. Some low cost options include going to the museum where entry is free, picnics in the park, bike rides or just fun and games in the garden at home.

The Seychelles tops a list of holiday hotspots that have become more affordable since the sharp decline in the value of the pound. Brazil, Australia and Poland are also amongst the destinations which offer better value for Britons now than they did six months ago, according to a new study.

A rise in the value of the pound against the currencies of these countries means Britons will see their cash go further, it said. It means more traditional sunshine destinations in Europe, such as Spain, could miss out on much of this summer's British tourist trade, experts warned.

The research by Halifax revealed that the value of the pound declined by 14 % against the euro between June and December last year, making trips to countries in the euro-zone more expensive. The news is also positive for those hoping to travel further afield, with the value of the pound rising by 61 per cent against the Seychelles rupee and 15 per cent against the Brazilian real in the six months to December 2008. The value of the pound also rose by 7 per cent against the Australian dollar and by 1 per cent against the New Zealand dollar in the past six months.

Duncan Barraclough, head of hotels at Travelsupermarket.com said: "People don't want to sacrifice their holidays and the traditional destinations that have done well in the past, such as Spain, are being affected by increased costs and people are now seeking genuine alternatives."

If you would like to travel to the Seychelles this summer, Only Exclusive Travel offer some unique luxury holiday packages.

The Maldivian Government has recently announced its plans to outlaw shark fishing in its waters.

Shark numbers have dropped significantly in the last few years in this region because of over fishing to fulfill the demand for shark fin soup and other luxury Asian dishes.

10 years ago the Government here imposed a ban on shark fishing around the islands used by international visitors because of the negative effect it was having on tourism.  Many visitors to the Maldives come specifically to enjoy the abundant marine life around the islands.  Now the Government are to extend the ban on shark fishing to include all 26 of the Maldives atolls and for 12 miles off the atoll coasts.

It is hoped that over time the population will recover.

Only Exclusive Travel feature several luxury holiday resorts in the Maldives including Soneva Fushi.

It was revealed last week that the Maldives are in the process of banning all shark fishing in its waters.  A representative from the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission explained that the country would be the first in the region to implement a ban.

The number of sharks has dropped dramatically in the Indian Ocean due to over fishing because of their lucrative fins.  The shark is important to the luxury holidays industry drawing many tourists to the region.

All Reef Shark fishing in the Maldives will be banned by 2010.  The Maldives are visited by 700,000 tourists each year who are drawn to resorts like Soneva Fushi by the countries extraordinary natural beauty and marine life.

In a recent interview, Sonu Shivdasani, the founder and CEO of the Six Senses Resorts and Spas discussed his commitment to providing luxury holidays that are always green.

In 1995 Shivdasani and his Swedish wife Eva established their first resort, Soneva Fushi.  They later went on to open Soneva Gili, also in the Maldives, and Soneva Kiri in Thailand as well as diversifying the brand with others which fall under the same umbrella.

The brand is a regular award winner and is popular with the rich and famous. But it has built its reputation on its ethos of “intelligent luxury”.  The company is well known for its commitment to sustainability and the environment.  As well as sourcing the most ecologically friendly materials for all their resorts they couple also try to employ local staff where possible and give a percentage of the each resorts total revenue to support the local community and environmental projects.

Recently the Six Senses brand has opened an urban well-being sanctuary in Paris called Six Senses rue de Castiglione.  Best known for luxury holidays and spa resorts like Soneva Fushi Maldives this is a relatively new idea developed by the group.  The urban spa was scheduled to open in late December 2009 and boasts all the latest facilities which have been perfectly integrated into its historic surroundings.

It’s the ideal place for urban dwellers to relax and de-stress – the perfect antidote to modern life.  It incorporates the elements of sky and earth and features natural woods which have been worked by skilled local craftsmen.

Tranquility basking on the shores of the sea, that’s how you would describe it when looking at the six senses resort in Zighy Bay.

The complex has all the characteristics of a traditional Omani village, with all the villas built from local stone and materials giving it an overall light toned colouring typical of the local architectural style. Bicycles are provided to get around as private cars are not allowed in the complex, and ‘day trippers’ are not allowed, in fact the only people in the resort will be people who have booked a villa and some support staff.

Relaxation is the order of the day (every day) with each villa having its own infinity bath and butler service, with many of the villas opening up straight onto the beach. There are no activities for children, which doesn’t mean children are not welcome, but indicates that the resort is designed for adults, with particular focus on couples.

You can choose to arrive in style by power boat from a local port or paragliding for the more adventurous, (your luggage meets you at the resort), or the more usual way of being driven by car.

Conclusion

Overall, the resort scores highly. Intentionally a distance from major cities. It is peaceful and relaxing, an ideal couple's tranquil getaway, so not for those looking for action. The villas are well appointed and provide ample space, and the fact that each has its own compound with a private pool means that guests can get all the privacy that they desire. A first class choice for honeymooners, or couples seeking time alone together.

The Six Senses Resorts have announced that they are introducing their Spa Season 2009.  During a specific period between October and December, some of the world’s leading spa practitioners will be offering a variety of complimentary treatments for guests at the resorts.

The idea is to offer luxury holidays which are will enable guests to de-stress and have a life enriching experience.

Complimentary treatments will be offered to guests who are staying for a fortnight at both Soneva Fushi Maldives resort, and Soneva Gili Maldives.

The Six Senses Group is to open a new spa resort in the Oman.  The hotel group currently has spa hotels in 6 countries, including Soneva Fushi Maldives.  The new hotel is to be situated near by the Zinghy Bay Resort on the Musandam Peninsula in Oman.

Reports suggest that they are also looking to eventually develop luxury holiday spas along the equator in locations like Portugal, Morocco and Brazil.

Heavy snow has fallen across large parts of the UK, disrupting travel and closing thousands of schools.

South-east England has had the worst snow it has seen for 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service and the closure of Heathrow's runways.

Only two flights have managed to take off from Stansted Airport so far, 61 flights have been cancelled and it was snowing heavily during the mid-morning.

The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland.
Up to four inches is forecast to fall later on Monday in south-east England, and up to 12 inches in the north-east.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "We are doing everything in our power to ensure services, road, rail and airports are open as quickly as possible, and we are continuing to monitor this throughout the day."

Passengers of all kinds are likely to be effected whether traveling for business, on luxury holidays or on low budget family breaks.  All those traveling today are strongly advised to check with their airline before setting out.

 From luxury holidays to a city break solo travelling is becoming a popular trend. Whether it’s travelling in a group or own your own there are many choices to be had.

Many travellers opt to go on a solo holiday for reasons such as, divorced, being single or just wanting to see the world. Holidaymakers can chose to join a group or make their own solo plans. If you are travelling on your own there are many companies who will offer advice and guidance on how to plan your route safely. You have the freedom to be creative, visit places you want to go to and change your plans and agenda on a whim. Wherever you go you will always find like-minded people, so loneliness will not be a problem.

Travelling in an organised group makes the most sense as you will travel in the safety of a well planned and organised company who have tried and tested destinations and ideas on offer. You will have the opportunity to visit countries you would never travel to on your own, the chance to make new friends and give you the confidence to make the leap to travel solo.

Soneva Fushi in the Maldives is one of the most upmarket luxurious hotels of its kind. It has played host to a number of celebrity guests and is considered to be one of the finest luxury holidays destinations in the world

The hotel is part of leading Evaston Group headed by the extremely successful and respected Indian businessman, Sonu Shivdasani, who is fast becoming one of the most formidable hoteliers around. Sonu himself comes from a privileged background having been educated at Eton and Oxford. He established Soneva Fushi on the Maldives as he regarded it as a very special and unique island surrounded by crystal clear waters and exquisite coral reefs.

Soneva Fushi has exceeded Sonu’s expectations of creating an exclusive hotel with intelligent luxury and gourmet dining set against a backdrop of opulence. The hotels Six Senses Spa has won a number of prestigious awards and the hotel itself continues to be a Mecca for those who want a little taste of paradise!

In a recent interview Eva Shivdasini who is the Eva in Soneva explained how the concept for their resorts was born and the ethos which they remain true to.

When she first visited the Maldives she was struck by their natural and untouched beauty and simple way of life. This philosophy runs through the luxurious and highly regarded brand which is known for intelligent luxury and respecting the local environment.

The Six Senses Resorts have a reputation for being one of the most sensitively designed in the world and take luxury back to basics with inspired but simplistic sophistication.

If you are interested in a luxury holiday with a truly environmental philosophy, Soneva Fushi Maldives would suit you and is featured by Only Exclusive Travel.

When travel+leisure.com joined with Conservation International their aim was to devise a complete and comprehensive appraisal of which resort and hotels were doing best in an attempt to conserve water and energy, minimize waste support and enhance their local habitats and communities.

The aim was to enable travellers to select a destination which fulfilled their desire to experience a luxury holiday in a beautiful setting but also to satisfy those who are eco-conscious.

It’s no surprise that Soneva Fushi Maldives was high on their list with its commitment to providing high quality accommodation and service at the same time as protecting the local environment.

Soneva Fushi Maldives is once again in the Top 10 Eco-Friendly Asian Resorts for 2009 as compiled by a leading online hotel reservations company.

The award recognizes resorts that have implemented environmental and carbon reducing policies and Soneva Fushi is undoubtedly an innovative leader in this area.  The resort built for luxury holidays was recognized for green initiative such as a tree-planting project, campaigns to ban shark fishing and a carbon neutral pledge which includes plans to buy a wind turbine in India.

The luxury holiday resort of Soneva Fushi in the Maldives last month launched its revolutionary recycling plant.  The Eco Centro Plant uses a number of pioneering and innovative technologies to recycle the majority of its waste materials into valuable products.

If you are interested in taking a luxury but intelligent holdiay the Soneva resorts offer eco-friendly luxury destinations with no compromise on quality and service.

Guests staying at the luxury holidays destination of Soneva Fushi on the beautiful island of the Maldives are being offered a unique experience by the hotel. For the next six months guests can pay for 5 nights and stay free for 5, in return for their help in local community projects.

Guests need to spend up to 5 hours a day volunteering to help in a range of areas. They can chose from firstly waste management in which they educate locals to make homemade composters. This encourages self efficiency. Through marine conservation guests will learn how to protect the local shark community and boost coral recovery.

By helping with local youth education, guests can share their Western experiences and encourage youngsters to become self efficient and aware of the environment around them. In order to lower levels carbon dioxide guests can help plant tress which also provides much needed shade to the locals. Soneva Fushi hopes that by giving their guests the opportunity to give back to the community their lives will be enriched.

The winners of the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 have recently been announced.  Wild Asia is a social enterprise which helps to promote sustainable travel and community based conservation initiatives.

The awards ceremony was hosted in Kuala Lumpur on 28th October 2009.  Winners were chosen based on 40 different criteria which included supporting local employment and the local environment.

Whilst not selected as a winner in the three categories, Soneva Fushi Maldives was listed as one of the finalists.  The luxury holidays resort in the Maldives is known for its ethos of “intelligent luxury” and has introduced many ecologically initiatives to help preserve the local environment.

The luxury holidays resort of Soneva Fushi has showcased the Maldivian cuisine in Milan.  Their executive chef and been invited to the renowned Identita Golose, the Italian congress of fine gastronomy, in Milan.  Here he will demonstrate Maldivian cuisine to 600 Michelin starred chefs.

The philosophy of the resort is to encourage relaxation and a slow life.  The resort is understated and yet luxurious with a commitment to sustainable tourism.  This means, amongst other things, that they grow a lot of their own produce or source it locally – it is all organic and nutritious.  The quality of the restaurant at Soneva Fushi is world class and it has recently won its second Michelin Star. 

This ethos is totally in line with that of Identita Golose’s who also embraces the ideal of “the luxury of simplicity".

An annual nature trip for students has just finished in the Maldives.  The trip is a joint venture between Eco Care and Soneva Fushi Maldives.  The participants came from a number of different schools and the visit included trips to 5 uninhabited islands.

The annual trip is funded by Soneva Fushi as part of its unique contribution to the environment of the Maldives.

Speaking in a recent interview the President of the Maldives explained once again the nation’s plans to become carbon neutral within 10 years and why.  He explained that he wants the whole country to be carbon neutral by 2019 in order to set an example to the rest of the world and because the country is likely to be devastated by rising sea levels if nothing is done.  But it’s not just the threat of climate change that concerns the President, he believes that it is essential to invest in renewable energy so that the country can meet its development needs in the future.

He explained that making the drastic move to carbon neutrality would not be easy but also pointed out that it is possible giving the example of the luxury holiday resort Soneva Fushi which will go carbon neutral this year and zero carbon next year.

he luxury holidays destination of the Maldives has become renowned around the world for its green initiatives and its attempts to become carbon neutral within the next 10 years.

President Mohamed Nasheed is the driving force behind this ambitious plan. He hopes that by taking control now that the effects of climate control can be minimised. Six Senses Soneva Fushi is leading the way among the islands resorts to adopt the measures needed to become carbon neutral by being ecologically responsible and using sustainable sourced products.

The resort of Soneva Fushi offers luxurious elegantly designed accommodation overlooking it own private white sandy beach. It adopts a healthy lifestyle attitude hoping to enrich the guests by providing a relaxing environment for their stay. Soneva Fushi describes itself as “intelligent luxury and hope that though the use of their facilities and spa, guests leave having enjoyed a unique experience.

Soneva Kiri is scheduled to open late in 2009 on the Thai Island of Koh Kood.  Like its sister properties Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili which are both in the Maldives, the development has a total commitment to the environment.  The commitment in all three properties is “intelligent luxury”.  As with all the Soneva properties the ethos is to create luxury holiday resorts without damaging the environment.

Soneva Kiri has been naturally blended with the landscape and large trees have been left untouched.  Native plants have been added to maintain the natural habitat in the resort.  Many of the herbs and vegetables used in the hotel kitchens are grown on site to reduce the carbon emissions which would result from transporting food over long distances.  Natural ventilation is used throughout the resort to reduce the reliance on air conditioning and two reservoirs have been built to provide the resort with a water supply collected from rainwater.  Building materials and methods have also been eco-friendly. 

The Soneva resorts are truly eco-friendly without compromising on quality and luxury.

The South African tourism industry is busy preparing for the World Cup.  Forecasts are suggesting that the event will have a massive impact on tourism in all sectors – luxury holidays to mid-range holidays.

Fans are already buying up hotel rooms for the event knowing how difficult it is to get accommodation at the last minute.  The tournament begins on 11th June and the finals will be held on 11th July in Johannesburg.  Tour operators are reporting that packages are selling out fast.

Matches will be held in different stadiums throughout the country and those involved in the tourism industry are working hard to prepare. 

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce in Spain has found that although people visiting Spain has dropped, holidaymakers are spending slightly more.

The survey revealed that even though each holidaymaker spent on average slightly more this year, because there have been fewer visitors to Spain the overall income from tourism has fallen.

Figures indicate that each tourist spends an average of 933 Euros during their stay in Spain.  This works out as an average of 96 Euros per day as the average length of stay is 9.7 nights.

German and British tourist spent the most, closely followed by the French and Italians.

The most popular destination was found to be the Canary Island.

If you are interested in visiting Spain, Only Exclusive Travel feature a number of luxury holiday destinations here including the Abama Golf and Spa Resort Tenerife.

All sectors of the travel industry, including luxury holidays, have taken a bit of a hit this year with the economic downturn.

The forecasts are positive with tour operators hoping that next years sporting events will give tourism a boost.

For sure, the Winter Olympics in Canada and the Fifa World Cup in South Africa will draw tourists to these countries.  But various important figures in this industry seem convinced that 2010 could bring a general upturn in the travel industry

Forecasts suggest that travel associated with the major sporting events will be the theme for 2010.  For instance, events like the World Cup in South Africa are likely to increase the number of people travelling to the region in all sectors including luxury holidays and business travel, raising the profile of the country internationally.

Industry experts are predicting slow recovery next year but an increase in the popularity of destinations like South Africa, Canada, India and Europe.

Travel agents and tour operators can almost bank, year on year, that they will be busy during the spring half term in February.  This year reports are of a higher volume of bookings than ever.   It’s thought that the high level of bookings is largely due to the extremely cold weather that we have been experiencing recently.

It seems that the increase has been noted across the board from luxury holidays in exotic locations like Soneva Fushi Maldives to skiing trips in the Alps to UK short breaks in the Cotswolds...all are experiencing an increased level of bookings.

As the half term holiday looms closer and closer parents are looking for ways to keep their children entertained and occupied and are looking for late holiday availability bargains.

Sri Lanka has it all. You can have your luxury holiday here whatever your requirements- wide soft palm-lined beaches for lazing, plantations to canoe or drive through, cool plains, lush forests, ancient temples, colourful festivals enhanced by smiling friendly people welcoming you. Its compact size enables you to cover many experiences in a limited time and though an established tourist destination, remains largely unspoilt. Go now and beat the crowds.

Stay in the fabulous Fortress hotel situated near the picturesque Lake Koggala, near Galle. The newly opened hotel takes its inspiration and style from the ancient Dutch Fort, but has an added 21st century twist to it. The Fortress' design and luxury is a cut above all hotels in Sri Lanka despite its having no true heritage in the building itself. It is hard not to arrive or depart this residence without the words "wow" not passing one's lips.

The 47 guest rooms are available in 5 different styles, all finished and furnished to the same high degree of luxury. You may choose your view to gaze beyond the golden beach onto the Indian Ocean, or the nearer perspective of the magnificent gardens and water features.

The gardens are beautifully landscaped and scattered with daybeds and hammocks for real relaxation - perhaps after you have refreshed yourself in the pool or punished yourself in the well equipped gym.

For a truly magnificent luxury holiday, travel to Sri Lanka and just relax in a surrounding of pure beauty.

Travelling abroad nowadays can be a very stressful. With cut backs by airlines, heightened airport security and an increase in the number of passengers taking to the air, can all add up to a dismal experience.

Whether you are taking luxury holidays, a weekend break or business trip, the key to stress free travelling is forward planning. Make sure you travel light taking only what you need, just hand luggage if possible and also check-in online before you travel. Taking both these steps will speed check-in at the airport.

Another travel tip is to travel outside of school holidays if possible to avoid harassed families and inflated ticket prices. Try travelling from a regional airport where there are fewer queues at check-in and security, staff have more time to deal with you and there is less distance to walk. Then board your plane, sit back and enjoy your well earned holiday!

STR Global figures published recently indicate a downturn in occupancy figures for hotels on both Mauritius and the Maldives.  The market research organisation takes into account figures from 23 hotels in Mauritius and 17 in the Maldives.

The figures indicate that both luxury holiday destinations have experienced a drop in occupancy during the first 4 months of 2009 compared to the previous year.  This is probably because their biggest market, Europe, has been experiencing a recession.

This means, however, that there are lots of good holiday offers and deals around in all sectors at the moment.  Only Exclusive Travel are currently featuring offers which include holidays to the resorts of Soneva Fushi Maldives and Le Touessrok Mauritius.  These offers are based on extra night deals and can be viewed on the Only Exclusive Travel offers page.

No luxury holidays for the eco holiday maker. This new concept of sustainable tourism has tapped into the eco friendly market and introduced a range of holidays with a green twist.

There is a market for individuals and families who want to see the world but don’t want to buy into the mainstream travel market and commercial holidays. These eco travellers opt for a holiday with a difference. From yurting in France to orang-utan spotting in Borneo, trekking in the Australian outback to whale watching, these holiday makers want to interact and feel part of the local community.

One type of eco friendly family holiday which is gaining in popularity in the UK is farm holidays. Families stay on working farms renting their own piece of land and chicken coop. By living off the land this is a truly sustainable eco friendly vacation.

The Maldives is the lowest lying country in the world and its 1000s of islands are on average only just 2 metres above sea level. This means, quite simply, that the islands will be the first to be impacted by rising sea levels which are the result of global warming.

To counter this, the Maldives are campaigning for fast and effective action against climate change and provide an excellent example of a country which has implemented a sustainable tourism policy.

The luxury holiday industry has grown beyond anyone’s wildest dreams in the Maldives and it’s now crucial to the countries economy.  The government is only too aware that in order to sustain the levels of visitors that they are currently seeing they have to protect and preserve their most precious asset – the sea and the island’s flora and fauna.

The government’s policies are being embraced by the industry with resorts like Soneva Fushi leading the way with its commitment to be carbon neutral this year and carbon zero by the end of next year.  But the work has been going on for many years.  In 1988 the government introduced a series of laws to prevent overfishing and pollution. 

It was felt that left unregulated the tourism industry could eventually destroy this unique and beautiful paradise.  Now unless something dramatic is done to arrest climate change the island nation could be lost forever.

The new Kingfisher Swimwear calendar is currently in production.  The calendar which was shot on location at Soneva Fushi Maldives and Soneva Gili will be launched in January.

The production team took advantage of this uniquely beautiful and unspoiled location, shooting the models on the pristine white beaches with the crystal clear water behind.  The resorts, which are popular for luxury holidays, provided the perfect backdrop for a shoot of this kind.

The World Health Organisation has advised that the swine flu epidemic, which is reported to have killed over 100 people in Mexico, could become a pandemic.

As well as being a major worry for the whole international community, the epidemic poses a major concern for the travel and tourism sector.  The International Air Transport Association have advised airlines to review their plans for public health emergency in order to be prepared should the situation escalate. 

Already there are thought to be ten cases in New Zealand and others in France, Israel, the United States and Canada.  As with all other illnesses, Swine Flu is indiscriminate and could affect anyone, whether travelling for business, back packing or on a luxury holiday.

The Taj Exotica overlooks the serene blue waters of Tamarin Bay at Wolmar Beach and is spread over 27 scenic acres, The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa offers an exclusive haven of solitude and luxury.

The Taj is the only hotel in Mauritius that is exclusively composed of villas with private pools. At the Taj Exotica, you have a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean.

Having called it a 'hotel', in truth its not like a hotel, there are no "hotel rooms", only private villas. These "villas" are enormous and feel more like your own residence on the beach. Every villa has its own private infinity pool and private garden.

Sea food lovers will be enthralled with the variety of fishes on the menu. The wine list is complementary to the food on the menu with many interesting dishes with different taste styles, a good place to experiment with your menu. You have the choice of private dining on your own terrace by your own pool or dining in the restaurant.

Ideally suited to people who want the very best service, and an opportunity to experience 5 star serenity.

Good for Beach….YES

Privacy…YES

Tranquility…YES

Food/Wine…YES

Pampering…YES

Activities…NO

Couples…YES

Families…NO

Teenagers…NO

A report issued by luxury holidays company Kuoni, suggests that taking a holiday can transform your life.

The travel operator’s research showed that most of life’s major decisions are discussed whist on holiday. 41% of those interviewed said they talked about how to improve their work/life balance. 39% of those asked said they discussed exercise and getting fit and 36% talked about their love life. Other hot topics included starting a family, changing jobs and divorce.

 Luxury holidays to far flung locations seemed to be the main choice of the British public. The majority of men felt Australia was the ideal destination to make life changing decisions whereas women chose Mexico or the Caribbean.

Psychotherapist Christine Webber commented “that this report shows that having a holiday is not just about sun and leisure and visiting new exotic locations. It demonstrates that we use the vacation in order to plan improvements in our day-to-day lives”

Thailand is made up of 26 provinces which vary enormously from jungle to cities to beaches.  Bangkok is one of these provinces and geographically sits in Thailand’s centre.  The central region has a dramatic history and heritage.  There are many ancient temples, battlefields and ruins.  The coast at the southern end of Thailand draws a huge number of tourists every year to its stunning beaches and beautiful islands. 

The climate varies depending on the region.  The monsoons arrive in July and last until November.  They are followed by a dry cooler period between November and February.  Then the temperatures rise between March and June.

Only Exclusive Travel feature many luxury holiday resorts and hotels in Thailand both on the mainland and the islands.  These hotels and resorts reflect the enormous contrasts within the country, for example, the Six Senses Hideaway which is situated on the island of Samui and Banyan Tree, which is situated in the bustling city of Bangkok.

Long-haul destinations such as South Africa and Thailand provide the best value for British holidaymakers, according to new research. British holidaymakers will find that their pounds stretch further in long-haul destinations such as Thailand and South Africa, according to new research.

A combination of lower living costs and better exchange rates, together with an increase in the number of flight and accommodation deals has made far-flung destinations more affordable to British travellers. The survey, which compared the cost of everyday purchases such as evening meals, suncream and a cup of coffee, found that many tourist items were up to 50 per cent cheaper in a selection of long-haul destinations than the eurozone.

Thailand, which topped the poll of affordable destinations, was found to be 41 per cent cheaper than Spain, where a bottle of mineral water was almost three times more expensive than in the Far East. In second place was South Africa, where a bottle of suntan lotion was less than half the price of those in Italy.

Other countries offering good value to British tourists were Kenya, where a cup of coffee (£2.01) was nearly 40 per cent cheaper than in Greece (£3.26), and Malaysia, where a bottle of beer (£2.56) was 31 per cent cheaper than in France (£3.72).

If you would like Thailand to be your luxury holiday destination this year, see what OnlyExclusiveHoliday has to offer.

 The annual Berlin Travel trade show opens its doors this week. It is recognised as one of the highlights of the travel industry’s calendar. It is a highly anticipated event.

The International Tourism Bourse (ITB) brings together tour operators, hotel representatives, airlines and other travel industry delegates. New ideas can be discussed and partnerships and deals made.

Despite the recent global economic crisis, turnout is optimistic. From luxury holidays to eco tourism, mobile travel services to new computer technology these are some of the exciting concepts to be discussed.

Business passengers have always been the bread and butter of the airlines, being their most profitable sector. With the airline industry being hit big time by the recent economic crisis, they have unveiled new plans to attract back the luxury holidays passenger and the corporate traveller.

In its heyday airline travel was seen as exclusive experience. Nowadays however, economy passengers are finding themselves paying extra for the most basic of items such as pieces of luggage, their seat reservation and even their food. Business travellers however are finding the opposite with the introduction of flat beds, gourmet menus and up to date technology. Airlines are focussing on the comfort of their high revenue passengers.

The Caribbean is a region located between North, Central and South America. It is made up of over 700 islands and is often referred to as the West Indies.

With warm temperatures and all year long sunshine it is not hard to see why it is often referred to as one of the top luxury holidays destinations in the world. When you think of the Caribbean you conjure up the image of white palm fringed sandy beaches, breath taking tropical scenery surrounded by warm inviting waters and you wouldn’t be wrong. The hard decision to make is which island to visit?

Steeped with such rich cultural heritage most islands hold their identities to European influences and African cultures due to the immigrant slaves from West Africa. Islands such as, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, St Lucia and St Kitts have a strong British influence having once been British colonies. French West Indies islands include Martinique, Guadalope, St Croix and St Martin. The islands of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are examples of Spanish West Indies.

When you visit in the Caribbean you can be sure of a warm welcome from the locals. Experience different cultures and sample new cuisines, swim with the dolphins or learn to dance the Salsa, which ever of the islands you chose to visit you won’t be disappointed.

The island of Barbados is situated in the Caribbean Ocean. It is a relatively flat island and is narrow at its northern end, its west coast is quite straight and it east coast gently curves outwards before bending back to form the south. It has a wonderful variety of beaches all along its coastline - along the east coast the beaches are wide and windswept, the south and west coasts are calmer. On these beaches you can walk along miles of unbroken white sand. Coral is a feature of the coastline of Barbados. In the north the coral and sandstone cliffs rise straight out of the sea.

The beaches on Barbados are truly some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean and the coastline is varied and dramatically beautiful. Only Exclusive Travel feature several resorts/hotels on Barbados including the Coral Reef Club, Fairmont Royal Pavilion, The Sandpiper, Cobblers Cove and Little Good Harbour.

There is no better way to experience the exotic sights and sounds of South East Asia than by train. The Eastern and Orient Express steps back in time in an attempt to recreate the luxury and elegance of the golden era of rail travel.

Passenger’s are allocated luxurious and well appointed cabins, experience gourmet meals are assigned a steward which will be on hand to tend to your every need. Inspiration for the train comes from the famous Orient Express which departs from Venice and travels around Europe.

 The Eastern and Orient Express travels through ever changing landscapes, from paddy fields to rainforests, cities to villages.  Come across exciting and new cultures while sampling exotic eastern cuisines. Visit destinations such as, Singapore and Thailand, Laos and Malaysia, making this one of the most unique luxury holidays you will ever experience.

Le Touessrok Mauritius is sometimes called the Eighth Wonder of the World! 

From the exterior the hotel remains unchanged in that it is traditionally Mauritian in style but the contemporary and modern interior fits its luxury holiday reputation. Standards are high here and the hotel is immaculate.  It boasts of a number of hideaways which offer total privacy being set within stunning gardens and at the water’s edge.

Here at Only Exclusive Travel we specialize in advising on and arranging luxury holidays for our clients.  We have a wealth of experience and expert staff who will be able to help you plan your trip meticulously.