We asked the Founder of Koamas Tropical Escapes why travel agents are worth their weight in gold when it comes to a destination like the Maldives
Many people book package holidays online or select a hotel brand they are already familiar with then match the dates with flights on an airline app without talking to a travel consultant. While that may work out alright for a destination like Turkey or Tenerife, when it comes to the Maldives, a lot of travellers get overwhelmed by the options and the wrong decision can take the enjoyment out of your Maldives experience.
Travel agent Michelle Flake, who is orginally from the UK, lived in the Maldives for 18 years and has made a name for herself as one of the top independent Maldives holiday experts. We spoke to her about why so many travellers struggle with choosing the right resort in the Maldives and why travel agents with expertise in the Maldives are such a useful resource when it comes to such a unique destination.
MMMaldives:
What is it about the Maldives that’s so different to other destinations like the Caribbean, which makes getting advice from a travel agent so helpful?
Michelle:
The Maldives is unique as the concept of the Maldives is ‘one island, one resort‘. The resorts are spread across 22 atolls and every resort offers a different experience. The transfers can also be quite complex. If you book via an online travel agent’s website (OTA), transfers are normally not included, so then you have to contact the resort to book it for yourself. With a Maldives specialist like Koamas, we will always quote with the transfers included and ensure they’re booked via the resort.
A specialist will also be able to tell you in detail what the all-inclusive package includes, and help you book speciality restaurants and spa treatments, which you cannot do via an OTA. Maldives specialists will also have visited many resorts in person, so will have first-hand knowledge of the resorts. Often people think it’s cheaper to book direct with the resort but this isn’t the case. Travel agents get net rates, as the resorts need these specialists, so you will get better rates with us.
MMMaldives:
Why is picking the right island in the Maldives so important?
Michelle:
Every resort offers something different – whilst they’re all stunning with beautiful beaches and lagoons, not all will have a house reef (reef adjacent to the island), so if snorkelling is important, you want to make sure you book a resort with a house reef. Some clients might want to be All-Inclusive but also be able to dine around at all the island’s restaurants. But not all resorts with All-Inclusive have a dine around concept. Honeymooners might prefer an adults-only resort but if they end up booking a large resort which is very family-friendly, they may be disappointed. Privacy might be important for some, so choosing a resort that offers a more private experience would be important.
All the resorts are stunning but whilst the really high-end resorts are luxurious with exceptional service, they might not suit everyone, even if they have the budget for it. That’s because some high-end resorts have everything but others guests don’t speak to you; they can be very aloof and this can affect the atmosphere, while some high end resorts foster a friendlier atmosphere.
For most travellers, this is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, so you want to exceed their expectations and match the right resort based on their preferences.
MMMaldives:
How does a travel agent help you pick which Maldives resort to go to?
Michelle:
It’s important for us to ask the right questions to be able to offer the clients some options. For example, finding out if they want a house reef or a meal plan (not all resorts offer all-inclusive). The size of the resort they prefer, and most importantly, the budget or an idea of what the maximum they want to spend on the resort, meals and transfers is also very important. Based on their budget and the specifics they’re looking for, we can offer a number of options tailored to their needs.
MMMaldives:
What’s the most common confusion or misconception that people you talk to have about the Maldives?
The fact that it is a country made up of tiny islands. They don’t realise that you arrive on one island and then have to get either a speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight to another island. They also can’t understand why seaplane transfers are so expensive. I often get clients contacting me to see if I can book a seaplane cheaper for them than the resort when they have booked their resort online and have to sort their own transfers!
They also think every resort has a house reef and are often surprised that All-Inclusive doesn’t necessarily mean they can eat in every restaurant. Many will compare it to All-Inclusive in the Caribbean, which is very different.
MMMaldives:
Are the first-timers you speak to surprised when they realise most guests only stay on one island for the duration of their holiday?
Michelle:
Yes, but usually they’re the clients wanting to stay for seven or more nights. When you explain to them how expensive transfers can be, it’s a bit of a shock to them. They also think that you can just visit another resort for day, or book dinner at the underwater restaurant at a resort they’re not staying in.
MMMaldives:
How common is it to split a holiday in the Maldives between two or more resorts?
Michelle:
Not that common because of the cost of transfers. I probably book one in 25 bookings as a split stay. If transfer costs were lower, I think this option would be more popular. A private speedboat between two resorts in the same atoll can be $500 USD, or when you’re looking at a speedboat between different atolls, it can be over $1,000 USD.
MMMaldives:
Do you have any advice for anyone coming to the Maldives for the first time?
Michelle:
I always say to my first-timers that whatever resort they choose they will not be disappointed as they are all stunning, it just comes down to their budget. Repeaters are a different thing because they know what they are looking for and have something to compare it to. I’ve never had any first-timers be disappointed in their resort choice, whether they have booked a simple four-star or luxury five-star.
I always give a selection of prices when quoting so that they can see the differences and I always explain what the low season is like, and that it’s when they will get the best deals, but they should expect some rain. It doesn’t mean it will rain constantly every day but there is a reason why the prices are lower. I also recommend if they have the budget and only plan to come once to experience a seaplane. It’s so worth it. Even though a seaplane transfer can be quite expensive, we can often find resorts for them with cheaper nightly room rates in the further away atolls than the ones that you can reach by speedboat, so the overall price won’t necessarily work out as more expensive in the end.
