Tourists Complain as Resorts Overbook
MALE, Maldives, January 16, 2006. Tourists are complaining at the Tourism Ministry because resorts are overbooked while Maldivian tourism has increased. Tourism arrival started to show signs of improvement during the last weeks of last year, following the huge drop in tourist arrival following the December 26, 2004 tsunami. Even though the average occupancy of August was 56.5 percent, some resorts stopped bringing in more tourists because those resorts were full.
Some international tourist operators forewarned that with the beginning of this year the resort occupancy of resorts will increase and the problem of overbooked resorts may arise. Tourism Ministry said in an announcement that since the problem of overbooking has arisen and tourists are complaining about it a circular released Monday has ordered that booking is done according to law.
Tourism Ministry said that 15,182 beds from78 resorts are being used by tourists. While 12,788 beds were used during last year's January the number of beds used during January of 2004 was 16,088. The resorts overbooked at the moment include resorts from Male atoll, atolls close to Male and atolls far away.
Sun Island Resort said that there occupancy these days is higher than 95 percent. Sun Island is the resort with the highest number of beds having a total of 426 rooms. Sun Island's manager Abdurrasheed said that to prevent the problem of overbooking the booking has been controlled somewhat.
One and Only Reethi Rah Resort said that since December 2005, the occupancy of that resort has been 100 percent. One and Only Reethi Rah is one of the most expensive resorts in Maldives of US$ 178 million and has 130 rooms. "This could continue till April," said a senior staff of that resort's management. Some tourists had to leave Maldives during December 2003 without holidaying because resorts were overbooked and full.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
