TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Sun Siyam Olhuveli, one of the favourite resorts for travellers from the Middle East due to its accessibility by speedboat, announces that it has the longest pool in the Maldives, with a whopping 210 metres in length. In an interview with TRAVTALK at ITB Berlin, Zulaikha Manik (Zuley), Deputy Managing Director, Sun Siyam Resorts, shared details about its new additions.
Dr Shehara Fernando
What are the latest developments for guests from the Middle East?
One of the most exciting news to convey to our Middle East guests is that we have just opened the longest swimming pool in the Maldives with a length of 210 metres. It basically runs from one end to the other in the island. Apart from this, we have revamped and restyled our deluxe rooms and renamed them as ‘Beach Pavilions’ and ‘Sunset Beach Pavilions’.
Could you tell us what is different in the new rooms?
We have changed the placement of the facilities in the rooms, and it can accommodate up to two children, which is important for our guests from the Middle East as they travel with their families. Siyam World is our largest property known to our Middle East guests as that is where the only horse barn in Maldives is, but recent introduction of our go-kart track is also something very much enjoyed by the families and we are getting good reviews.
What are your summer plans for the ME travellers?
We are looking at introducing some fresh offers and discounts to our Middle East guests through the travel partners as we celebrate 35 years, which is a huge milestone for us. Our Chairman and Managing Director Hon. FDr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed started the company in 1990. Hence, this is a special year of celebrations. He started the company as a small travel agency and today he owns the largest number of rooms and beds in the country, so it’s a 35-year-long successful journey. A true visionary behind the success of the group, he brings in innovation, keeping the strategy in place and making sure that the travellers can witness something new every time they visit. He understands the rapid changes in the market and aims to have the group as a top-of-mind destination for all travellers. We are really focused on the Middle East because we know that it has a modest set of countries, and we also want the ladies to really enjoy themselves within the privacy. So, in all our resorts we have private swimming pools, some of them are within the confines of the courtyard, so that the ladies can also enjoy themselves.
Do you see a change in profile of travellers/ guests?
Traditionally, the Middle East has been a family market for us, but of recent, and this has been mostly post-pandemic, we also have group of friends travelling together. Recently, when I was in the resort, there was this lovely group of ladies from the Middle East, around five or six of them, and they were really enjoying themselves. So, it’s not just a couple’s or a family destination anymore, there is a lot that you can do as a group of friends in the Maldives now.
