agoda.com provides tropical hotel deals in the fragile Maldives

agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq: PCLN), is providing sunny winter deals on hotels in the Maldives, one of the most beautiful – and endangered – countries on Earth.

Known for its pristine white beaches and turquoise water teeming with colorful marine life, the group of over 1,000 islands (200 of them inhabited) off the southwest tip of India has long been a destination for those seeking a healthy dose of tranquility, a unique cultural experience, or a remote, romantic getaway. But the very thing that gives the Maldives its stunning beauty – its proximity to the ocean – is also what will eventually bring the nation to an end. The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, averaging only 1.5 meters above sea level, and is thus extremely sensitive to rising ocean levels.

Indeed, the problem has become such a pressing one that many experts believe the entire nation will be underwater by the end of the century, which has resulted in the Maldivian government drawing up preliminary plans to move its entire population to a ‘New Maldives’, most likely land bought from Australia with money earned from the nation’s healthy tourism industry.

But beyond the stunning ocean scenery, the Maldives offers a unique culture that has been influenced by over a thousand years of maritime trading with a variety of cultures including Arab, Indian and Portuguese, resulting in a culture that is similar to nearby India and Sri Lanka but with its own unique twists on traditions from dozens of countries. Even the national language, Divehi, is unique. In addition, the capital of Malé is a virtual floating city, a densely populated marvel of civil engineering which takes up the entire boundary of the largest island, necessitating several unique solutions to things like energy generation and consumables management.

With all this to offer, it’s a very real tragedy that the Maldives are slowly disappearing. But with the following deals from Agoda.com on some of the nation’s best hotels, this year is a perfect time for a winter getaway to one of the most picturesque nations in the world.

Niyama By Per Aquum 5*
(50% Super Low Rate stay, valid until 23 December 2012)

The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives 5*
(50% Super Low Rate stay, valid until 25 December 2012)

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort 5*
(40% off, valid until 26 December 2012)

Hilton Maldives Irufushi Resort & Spa 5*
(Book 5 days in advance for a 25% discount. Valid until 31 December 2013, booked before February 14, 2013)

Constance Halaveli Resort 5*
From 22 Nov to 22 Dec: Stay at least 3 nights and get 30% Discount (Per Night)

Lux Maldives 5*
(Stay 4 nights, pay for 3. Valid until 31 October 2013)

Gangehi Island Resort 5*
(Up to 50% discount on selected room types, inclusive of Full Board meal plan. Valid for stays until 31 August 2013)

Angsana Velavaru 5*
(30% discount for 3 night minimum stays, valid until 23 December 2012)

Eriyadu Island Resort 4*
(Minimum stay of 4 nights on Full Board meal plan, get the 4th night free. Valid for stays until 26 December 2012)

Equator Village Resort – All Inclusive 3*
(Rates for All-Inclusive meal plans starting from $121 excluding taxes. Valid until 30 April 2013)

To connect with Agoda.com for special deals on hotels worldwide please visit our website at www.agoda.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/agoda or Google+ at plus.google.com/+agoda

Agoda Company Pte Ltd (Agoda.com) is a leading Asia-based, online hotel reservations company, which specializes in securing the lowest discount hotel prices. Agoda.com is part of Priceline.com (Nasdaq:PCLN). Agoda.com's network includes more than 200,000 hotels worldwide. The multinational staff of more than 1,200 professionals, located throughout the world, provides a first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.

In addition, Agoda.com customers participate in the Agoda.com Rewards Program, earning further discounts and free stays. Unlike programs that limit travelers to a single chain, the Agoda.com Rewards Program allows customers to redeem Rewards Points at thousands of hotels around the globe, at any time. A member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Agoda.com's aim is to promote travel by making it more affordable and more accessible to more people.

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This release was published on openPR.