If you have already seen my post below regarding the marketing workshop of yesterday, you will realize that there is a point to address the issue of change in the business environment due to the fuel crisis.

Well, I was trying to justify my suggestion of yesterday and here I got this piece of news from one of the largest Tour Operators in the UK.

Kuoni Travel, the UK’s foremost long haul travel operator, announce a rise in the number of Britons enjoying luxury holidays to the Maldives, despite the ongoing credit crunch

Kuoni Travel has announced that the first six months of 2008 saw a 28% rise in the number of people enjoying luxury holidays in the Maldives, compared to the same time period in 2007, despite the UK presently suffering under the strain of a credit crunch. The popularity of Maldives holidays continues to grow, with these luxury holidays seemingly unaffected by the UK‘s changing financial landscape.

“The Maldives is one of the destinations which have not been affected by the current economic climate,” commented Kuoni’s eBusiness Director, Matt Rooke. “In fact, with it’s ‘no-news’ tranquillity and natural beauty, it is the ideal destination to escape from press coverage of the economy.”

So what are we doing right here? Pssstt, I am sure we know what we are doing, but don’t share it here, coz others will steal our ideas. As I mentioned in my presentation yesterday, let’s get together and create an “Idea Council” within the Maldives Tourism Industry that will meet regularly (I would say every three to six months) to discuss and rejuvenate the image and presence of our brand as a “Dream Destination” for travelers.