The Maldives: A Maturing Vacation Property Market
A new island resort in the Maldives by an accomplished hotel operator with the rare opportunity of property for sale has been unveiled this month. Luxury resort operators Soneva Group have set out their plans for Soneva Jani, currently an undeveloped agricultural island growing papayas and cucumbers but soon to be transformed into a five-star resort with 54 villas. -
The Maldives has no shortage of coral islands. There are a total of 1,192 spread over 35,000 square miles making the Indian Ocean country one of the most disparate worldwide. Less than 200 of those islands are inhabited and while the capital, Male is more densely populated than Manhattan, the remainder are mostly a picture-perfect vision of flat coral-ringed sand, palm trees and true-technicolour blue seas. The islands average less than one square mile in size, some little more than tiny sandbars but they are tourism gold. Tourism is the Maldives main income source and the country has cornered the market for upscale luxury honeymoons and holidays. Historically the government has pursued a policy of one resort, one island and allocates islands to interested hotel groups on a 50-year lease. There are currently 126 resorts in the Maldives but property for sale remains rare. Soneva Group were early to spot the potential. In 1990 Sonu Shivdasani, an Indian-British hotelier and his Swedish wife Eva leased 40-acre Kunfundahoo in the northern Maldives and set about creating the first luxury resort. In 1995 Soneva Fushi opened with 42 rooms, focusing on sustainability and the concept of barefoot luxury. Twenty years on, Soneva Fushi, has been garlanded with awards. It is still owned and operated by the couple through their company Soneva Group and has an exceptional repeat rate of 52 per cent. Its wealthy and often famous guests - Madonna and Paul McCartney are among those who have checked in - appreciate Soneva Fushi's privacy and laidback atmosphere. - See more at: http://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/real-estate-news/maldives/maldives-real-estate-market-homes-for-sale-in-maldives-soneva-jani-soneva-group-maldives-viceroy-resort-soneva-fushi-madonna-paul-mccartney-maldives-tourism-report-jeff-schmitz-8932.php#sthash.RA5Y8pxd.dpuf
See more at: http://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/real-estate-news/maldives/maldives-real-estate-market-homes-for-sale-in-maldives-soneva-jani-soneva-group-maldives-viceroy-resort-soneva-fushi-madonna-paul-mccartney-maldives-tourism-report-jeff-schmitz-8932.php#sthash.RA5Y8pxd.dpufA new island resort in the Maldives by an accomplished hotel operator with the rare opportunity of property for sale has been unveiled this month. Luxury resort operators Soneva Group have set out their plans for Soneva Jani, currently an undeveloped agricultural island growing papayas and cucumbers but soon to be transformed into a five-star resort with 54 villas. - See more at: http://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/real-estate-news/maldives/maldives-real-estate-market-homes-for-sale-in-maldives-soneva-jani-soneva-group-maldives-viceroy-resort-soneva-fushi-madonna-paul-mccartney-maldives-tourism-report-jeff-schmitz-8932.php#sthash.RA5Y8pxd.dpuf
