EM ES & Beyond

I called it the dream fly.

When the floats off the water, you start to look around, up and down from the window. If you are flying direct to Ari Atoll, Dhaalu or the southern atolls, you’ll see the capital Male’ either from left or right.Whatever direction  it maybe, I have seen visitors often aroused with the stunning view of Male’ in the Indian ocean.So fascinating it is, that, it looks like as if a piece of HongKong right beneath the float. Maybe people don’t expect such a concrete park in the Maldives because, all what they knew about the country maybe white sandy beaches and tall palm trees.I take this positive though. It is 100% certain that when you fly above Maldives, you wont miss paradise. In fact it is time that we start to develop an iconic image about this unplanned city in the sunny side of life. Maybe the smallest big city in the wold.

It is believed to be the millennium’s longest annular solar eclipse on Friday. Maldives is one of the ideal locations to see the full eclipse. It is sad though, this event has not been proparly communicated in our markets. I couldn’t see this on our official tourism websites like, the visit Maldives or in Ministry’s official site either…

The eclipse starts in the Maldives at 10:15 a.m. (10:45 IST) and peaks at 12:20 p.m. (12:50 IST) before ending at 1:40 p.m. (14:10 IST).

Aquamarine, the India’s first eclips ship is now sailing to the Maldives… It is believed that there are some 900 and over guests aboard the ship.

“I have especially come with my two children to watch the eclipse. I don’t know much about solar eclipse and this was the opportunity to know it. After watching the eclipse, we will visit the city and other small islands,” Mansi Singh, a resident of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, told an IANS correspondent abroad the ship.

In such events, I wonder why we keep silent? If that becomes an attraction to Maldives, why don’t the destination be proactive and capitalize on such events?
 

QUICK READS….

Why a collective marketing approach is important in selling Maldives?

• Because tourism is the country’s major economic activity

• Fierce competition with relatively similar features (external forces)

• Tourism is a homogeneous product and a very sensitive trade 

• Tourism contributes nearly 30% to the GDP of the Maldives

• It hits hard on country’s economy in downturns

• The percentage share of tourism revenue to the government remains 28% in 2008

• Tourism sector employs nearly 30,000 employees and most probably any impact some way or the other related to every single family in the country.

Global warming is not a myth but a serious challenge. A very clear and a present danger. We may be one of the first victims. We should talk about it. Talk and cry aloud. However, is it the only concern? The top priority?

“Global warming and sea level rise….”

Are we shouting too loud about it?

Let’s be pragmatic. Do you believe the big guys will listen to us so sympathetically?

Ok… we ask…

Dear USA, China, our big brother India, could you please save us. United Nations, do you have any contingency plan for “WE” the sinking Maldivians… Our greatest ally, the Great Mighty Britain, now that we have a president whom you like, can you save us? He talks about human rights and try to change our popular culture. He doesn’t talk about religion like you said but to seize trouble, a separate ministry to write Friday sermons.

For the sake of 300,000 Maldivian will you compromise your progress and stop operating your economic engines?

Is there anybody out there who could rent us a dry land? Our president’s wish lists starts with the call for a dry land? Who among you will sell a land ?

Hang on Mr. President.

You should not follow the footsteps of your predecessor to secure an artificial legacy and gain popularity at the cost of WE ordinary citizen.

You said we are sinking… and well… but … aaahhh, you know… you could still come and invest because Maldives is a perfect place for investments.

They say… it’s a perfect place for tourism and you say yes and no… we are Sun Sand and Jihad? Because our boys are with Taliban.

Hey Mr. President, which bother us much?

-          Increased drug addicts and a total loss of a loving generation? Almost half of our youth victims?

-          Increased juvenile crimes, killing, robbing, theft and murder?

-          Our justice system?

-          National Bankruptcy?

-          Disparity of income and the great divide between poor and rich?

-          Land rent in Male’?

-          The cost of political rivalry between DRP and MDP?

Which really sink Maldives?

Brand images of countries are just as important to their success in the global marketplace as those of products and services. In a highly integrated global market place, symbolic values of products, have led countries to strengthen their distinctive characteristics.

In the Nation Branding Index (officially Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index) tourism, people, exports, governance, investments and immigration, culture and heritage are marked as six different categories to determine the overall image of a nation.

Out of these six categories, tourism sector captures the level of interest in visiting a country and the draw of natural and man-made tourist attractions. For instance, in 2008, Italy dominated first place followed by France as second and third place to Spain.

Such a result can be the long term effect from an image that is created. Not perhaps knowingly but over the time and with several other factors that took place in world history. Especially in the case of Italy, France and Spain.

I luv N Y

The I Love New York logo is a rebus created by Milton Glaser consisting of the capital letter I, followed by a red heart symbol (?), below which are the capital letters N and Y, set in a rounded slab serif typeface called American Typewriter. The logo and advertising campaign have been used for decades to promote tourism in New York State — not just New York City, as many believes.

It works in crisis too…

I love New York has worked very effectively even after the 9/11

The image became especially prominent following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the city, which created a sense of unity among the populace. Many visitors to the city following the attacks purchased and wore the shirts bearing the I Love New York logo as a sign of their support. Glaser created a modified version to commemorate the attacks, reading “I Love NY More Than Ever”, with a little black spot on the heart symbolizing the World Trade Center site.

Greetings and best wishes on this auspicious occasion of the Islamic New Year.

Hijra Beginned with Hope inspired by courage and dedication on the course of our great faith.

May we all be blessed. we seek your endless mercy our Lord. I pray that this new year will bring us peace, prosperity and love for the course of our family and the entire humanity.

Happy New Year…