Since that February 1972, Maldives has become a world-renowned luxury destination giving hospitality to over million tourists per year.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives reached its target for 1.5 millionth tourists on Sunday, 24th of this month for the year 2019.
Tourists come mainly from Europe and Asia. In particular, Europeans represent 47.5 percent of market share and tourists from Asia and the Pacific account for 42.7 percent.
The number of Italians visiting Maldives is constantly growing and reached a record high in 2018 (105,297 people). Italy ranks third for number of tourists visiting the country.
Italy is connected with Malé International Airport through direct flights operated from the capital-city Rome by the flagship carrier Alitalia and by the Italian carrier Neos. Alongside these flights, in October, another privately owned Italian airline, Air Italy, has started its service from and to Milan Malpensa airport after a two-year absence.
The Milan-Malé route is scheduled three times a week and will benefit from the many domestic connections operated by Air Italy between Milan and other central and southern Italy’s cities such as Rome, Palermo, Naples and some others.
But Italians are not the only Europeans, who choose to spend their holidays in Maldives. Indeed, data considering the period from January to September 2019 show that the largest increases have been recorded in the number of Polish and Croatian tourists.
Visitors from Spain and Portugal are up 14.2 and 38.1 percent respectively. Increases are also recorded for tourists from Western and Northern Europe, with arrivals from Germany and United Kingdom up 16.8 and 9.2 percent respectively.
This trend has led many airlines to start new routes from new European countries, or to add more flights on already-existing routes. Moreover, Maldives’ government has also addressed this positive trend by presenting new budget to parliament, which also includes several investment projects for airports and infrastructures.
]]>The code-F runway officially opened on October 6th and at 65m wide, it will accommodate the largest aircrafts in operation, such as the Airbus A380 – the world’s largest commercial aircraft.
Work started on the runway in 2018, as part of a huge $1bn development project to upgrade the airport for modern tourism needs. The existing runway is now a parallel taxiway, allowing for smoother operations and increased capacity.
The runway opened alongside a new seaplane terminal, which has increased seaplane capacity by 50%.
The Maldives has the biggest seaplane operation in the world, connecting Velana International Airport to resorts across the country’s 26 atolls.
The airport development project also includes a new passenger terminal, a 45 million litre fuel farm and a 120,000 tonne cargo facility.
The new international passenger terminal building, now under construction, will have an increased area of more than 78,000 square meters and will boast aero boarding bridges, state-of-the-art baggage handling systems and a wide range of food and beverage outlets, retail spaces, lounges and other services.
A new VIP/CIP building has already opened, providing high-end facilities for discerning travellers.
Tourism is expected to grow significantly in the Maldives, with projected passenger numbers of 7.3 million by 2030. These development works will ensure the airport is ready for the future, offering more efficient operations for airlines and an enhanced experience for passengers.
]]>The Maldives has moved up several places in the Human Development Index (HDI), which calculates a nation’s progress in health, education and living standards.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been calculating the Human Development Index for 32 years. The latest report shows that while 9 out of 10 countries have fallen backwards from previous levels The Maldives has leapt ahead, ranked at 90 out of 191 countries and territories in 2021, up from 97 in the 2020 report.
The Maldives's HDI value for 2021 reached 0.747— which put the country in a high human development category. Since 1995 Maldives's HDI value has increased by almost a third, from 0.582 to 0.747.
The increase in the HDI value for the Maldives in 2021 is a result of improvements in key HDI measurement indicators: life expectancy at birth from 78.9 to 79.9 years, expected years of schooling from 12.2 to 12.6 years, and mean years of schooling from 7 to 7.3 years.
Gross National Income (GNI) per capita reduced from $17,417 to $15,448, impacted by the economic contractions of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is also still work to be done in closing a gender gap, as the 2021 female HDI value for Maldives is only 0.709 compared to 0.766 for males.
Globally, the picture is not so positive. The HDI has declined across the world for the first time – for two years in a row. This suggests human development has fallen back to its 2016 levels, reversing much of the progress made towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The reversal is nearly universal as over 90 per cent of countries registered a decline in their HDI score in either 2020 or 2021 and more than 40 per cent declined in both years.
The UNDP says this is symptomatic of a wider crisis, fuelled by the disruption and devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine, along with sweeping social and economic shifts, dangerous planetary changes, and massive increases in polarization.
“Even before COVID-19 hit, we were seeing the twin paradoxes of progress with insecurity and polarisation. Today, with one-third of people worldwide feeling stressed and less than a third of people worldwide trusting others, we face major roadblocks to adopting policies that work for people and planet,” says Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. “This thought-provoking new analysis aims to help us break this impasse and chart a new course out of our current global uncertainty. We have a narrow window to re-boot our systems and secure a future built on decisive climate action and new opportunities for all.”
While some countries are beginning to get back on their feet, recovery is uneven and partial, further widening inequalities in human development. Latin America, the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have been hit particularly hard. The nations with the highest index scores in the 2022 report include Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, Germany and Ireland.
The HDI was created to emphasize that people and their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not economic growth alone.
]]>The religious heritage of the island nation is a fascinating part of its story. The Maldives has been an Islamic country for almost 900 years but was actually a Buddhist nation in ancient times.
Going even further back, before embracing Buddhism, Maldivians had practiced an ancient form of Hinduism known as Śrauta. It is not known how or when exactly Buddhism was introduced to the country but it was believed to have arrived in the 3rd Century at the time of Ashoka – an Indian emperor who promoted the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia.
This period had a profound effect on the Maldives, helping to shape its language, architecture, institutions and customs. Its legacy remains today in architectural remains from Buddhist structures and monasteries. These ancient archaeological remains are found on many islands throughout the Maldives – with many more treasures yet to be discovered.
Thoddoo Buddhist Temple on Thoddoo Island is among the country’s most significant historical and cultural sites. Kuruhinna Tharaagandu, the remains of a Buddhist monastery dating back as far as the 7th Century, is another one of the country’s most important historical sites.
It is believed Buddhism was the dominant religion in the country for more than 1,000 years, spread by the ancient Maldivian kings. It was during this time that Maldivian culture as we know it developed, from the language and architecture to the first known written scripts and ruling systems.
A series of ruling Buddhist dynasties existed until the last king Dhovemi converted to Islam in 1153. Around this time many Arab traders from the Middle East and Africa were sailing the Indian Ocean around Maldives. It’s believed an Arab traveller from Morocco by the name of Abul Barakat Yoosuf Al Barbary arrived in Maldives and convinced the king to convert to Islam.
The new religion was spread across the islands, but faced some resistance from Buddhist strongholds, particularly Nilandhoo Island in Faafu Atoll. This was the last Maldives island to accept Islam.
After Islam was accepted by the nation many of the old Buddhist temples were destroyed. However archaeological discoveries have been made on many atolls across the Maldives, including mounds or stupa containing relics depicting Buddhist iconography.
A wealth of Buddhist relics have been discovered on Nilandhoo. The island’s historical site foah'mathi has a Buddhist temple beneath it believed to be more than 1,000 years old, which was excavated by a Norwegian team of archaeologists led by explorer Thor Heyerdahl in the 1980s. The area has still not been fully explored. The temple was believed to have been built by order of the king Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu around 1,100 years ago.
Many of Heyerdahl’s archaeological discoveries of stone figures and carvings from pre-Islamic civilisations are now on display in the National Museum in Male.
British Civil Servant Harry Bell was one of the first Westerners to show interest in Buddhist culture in the Maldives. Bell made numerous visits to the Maldives during the Victorian era to investigate ancient ruins. He became friends with the then King of Maldives, who supported him in his research.
During his visits Bell studied the ancient mounds found on many of the atolls known locally as havitta or usthubu. These sites remain a popular tourist attraction for visitors today.
In 1990 Maldivian historian Hassan Ahmed Maniku counted as many as 59 islands with Buddhist archaeological sites. The largest monuments of the Buddhist era are in the islands fringing the eastern side of Haddhunmathi Atoll (Laamu Atoll).
Important Buddhist relics include the Loamaafaanu copper plates, written in the old Maldivian alphabet that describe the transition from Buddhism to Islam in the 12th century, and coral stone artefacts.
As Maldives is a coral island nation many of the ancient religious sculptures are made from carved coral.
The Buddhist heritage of the Maldives remains a source of intrigue and mystery and it is believed there are still many Buddhist ruins and artefacts yet to be discovered.
]]>Visitors now simply require two doses of an approved WHO Coronavirus vaccine to enter the country, as long as they received the second vaccine more than two weeks before arrival.
Additional boosters are not required for entry into the country.
The changes came into effect on Saturday, 5 March.
PCR tests are also no longer required for visitors upon departure from the Maldives, and this includes people staying in local guest houses. However, some final destinations will still need a test upon arrival.
Face masks are now not mandatory in the Maldives from 14 March.
Work permit holders and Maldives residents are still required to take a PCR Covid test between three and five days after their arrival in the country.
Unvaccinated visitors and children over the age of one who are not eligible for vaccination will be asked to provide a negative PCR test upon arrival. The test must be taken within 96 hours of their departure journey to the Maldives.
All travellers to the country are still required to fill in a Traveller Health Declaration form 48 hours before departure to and return from the Maldives.
Following a spike in the cases at the end of January 2022, coronavirus cases have fallen significantly in the country in recent weeks and continue to fall.
Around 70% of Maldives residents are believed to have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine. At the time of writing, around 140,000 Maldives residents had also received the booster dose, according to the national Health Protection Agency.
There is around 100% of both doses for people working within the tourism sector in the country.
The country is celebrating 50 years of international tourism this year.
Since the first resort opened in the country in 1972, tourism has flourished in the paradise nation.
A greater number of visitors are expected to arrive in the country as international travel becomes increasingly less restricted.
Visitor numbers are expected to get back up to pre-pandemic levels by 2023 and grow significantly over the coming years.
The expansion of Maldives main airport, Velena International, is scheduled for completion this year, ready to accommodate up to 7.5 million passengers per annum.
]]>The $1bn(US) Maldives Floating City project is moving forward, with construction scheduled to start this month.
The development will become the world’s first floating city, with the country considered the perfect destination to introduce such an innovative project.
Initially developed as a concept in 2009, the Maldives Floating City will consist of around 5,000 new homes, two luxury resorts, a yacht marina and shopping malls.
Expected to take around five years to complete, the floating city will eventually include amenities such as hospitals, schools and leisure facilities.
All the residential properties will be waterfront-facing, each between 900 and 1,500 sq ft.
With rising sea levels considered a threat to the existence of this island nation, the design of the floating city is intended to mitigate these risks.
The floating city will be composed of hexagon-shaped segments reflective of the geometric patterns made by local coral.
The development will be enveloped and connected by a ring of barrier islands, acting as breakers below the water to reduce the impact of lagoon waves and to help stabilise the structures on the surface.
The project is being delivered by Dutch Dockland, who have experience of building thousands of floating homes in the Netherlands.
The floating city will be constructed in a 200-hectare warm water lagoon within a 10-minute boat ride from the capital Male and its international airport.
Those leading on the project say homes within the development will be made affordable.
Ahead of construction by this month, engineers have completed assessments of the soils and the conditions of the reef.
An environmental impact assessment has been conducted, with the project receiving the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency.
As a low-lying nation made up of 99% water, the Maldives is one of the countries most at risk of rising sea levels.
More than 80% of the country’s land lies less than 1 meter above sea level.
Many believe the country will cease to exist in decades to come if more drastic action is not taken to tackle the effects of climate change around the globe.
Innovative projects such as the floating city are part of a continued emphasis on environmental sustainability as the country looks for solutions to help tackle the effects of climate change.
Rather than reclaiming land, the Government says the floating city will enable people to live on the water without disturbing the environment. New reefs will be grown to act as breakwaters for the development.
A network of bridges, canals and docks will provide access across the various segments and connect shops, homes and services across the lagoon in an environmentally sustainable way.
Renewable energy sources will provide power to the floating city, in keeping with the Government’s goal to make the Maldives a net-zero emissions nation by 2030.
]]>Tourists from South Africa and six other countries in the south of the continent can now travel freely to the Maldives.
Visitors on a tourist visa are not required to be fully vaccinated to enter the country.
A ban was imposed on the seven African countries at the end of November following the outbreak of the omicron coronavirus variant.
This affected South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Tourists are not required to quarantine upon entering the Maldives. The same applies to fully vaccinated Maldives citizens, fully vaccinated diplomat visa holders and their dependents and fully vaccinated work visa holders and their dependents.
All tourists entering the Maldives are now required to present a negative PCR test result from the previous 96 hours (five days) before arriving in the country.
Children below the age of one are exempt from the requirements.
The travel ban for tourists from the seven affected countries was lifted on 26 December. Flights from South Africa recommenced on 29 December.
The USA and Germany are among the other countries to lift travel restrictions for South African tourists, where the omicron variant was first identified.
Fears surrounding the omicron variant have subsided around the globe, with the variant not considered as dangerous as initially feared for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Maldives welcomes thousands of visitors from South Africa each year, making it a valuable tourist market.
Tourism in the Maldives celebrates its golden jubilee this year, having commenced in 1972.
Having started with just two resort islands, visitors now have their choice of well over 160 islands spread across numerous atolls.
Today, tourism represents the most significant proportion of the nation’s GDP, with the Maldives welcoming millions of international visitors each year.
The ongoing expansion of Velana International Airport will accommodate an estimated 7.5m visitors per annum.
Although the tourism sector has faced significant disruption during the pandemic, visitor numbers are steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels.
The Maldives remains one of the ultimate ‘bucket list’ destinations for tourists around the globe. Travellers frustrated by the restrictions of the pandemic will likely want to make up for lost time and enjoy more foreign holidays once the world settles in to a ‘new normal’.
New resorts in new locations are in development across the Maldives, while plans are in place to offer a wider variety of accommodation options to appeal to all tastes and budgets.
]]>The four storey building has been designed by award-winning architect Yuji Yamazaki. The Tokyo-born, New York-based designer is also the name behind a number of other exclusive Maldives projects including Kudadoo Maldives, The Muraka at Conrad Maldives, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Hurawalhi Island, Club Med Finolhu Villas and more.
Built in a 6,800 square metre area, the new building has upgraded facilities, ample space for CIP customers and separate lounge for VIP and VVIPs. Travellers can relax comfortably while the formalities are completed by a dedicated hospitality team.
The new complex is part of the airport’s extensive US $800 million expansion programme, due for completion 2022, which includes a brand new runway and passenger terminal, a new seaplane terminal, a 45 million litre fuel farm and a 120,000 tonne cargo facility.
The redevelopment will cater for increased passenger numbers, projected to reach 7.3 million by 2030. Maldives welcomed 1.3 million visitors in 2021.
]]>As of 1st January 2022, visitors and residents alike are subject to the new Departure Tax and Airport Development Fee when leaving the country.
The new fees will contribute to the cost of an on-going US $800 Million infrastructure development programme at Velana International Airport.
Passengers travelling on scheduled flights will absorb the fees as part of the cost of their airfare, with airlines responsible for collecting.
For non-scheduled flights such as chartered flights and private jets, it is the responsibility of the airport operator to collect the taxes.
The new tax replaces the US $25 Airport Service Fee.
All passengers are subject to the new Departure Tax, plus an Airport Development Fee if flying out of Velana International Airport, the country’s main airport.
Economy class travellers are now subject to a Departure Tax of $30 plus a $30 Airport Development Fee, totalling US $60.
Business Class passengers will pay a departure tax of US $60 plus an airport development fee of US $60. This rises to US $90 plus US $90 for First Class passengers. Those travelling by private jet will be charged US $120 plus an Airport Development Fee of US $120 if departing Velana International Airport.
Local passport holders are subject to a Departure Tax of US $12 plus an Airport Development Fee of US $12 if travelling Economy Class. All other charges are the same as foreign passport holders.
Passengers with diplomatic immunity, transit passengers and children below the age of two will be exempt from the new charges.
The extensive re-development, due for completion in 2022, includes a brand new runway and passenger terminal, a new seaplane terminal, a new luxury traveller (VIP and CIP) service complex, a 45-million litre fuel farm and a 120,000 tonne cargo facility.
This major redevelopment will help ensure the airport is able to cater for increased passenger numbers, projected to reach 7.3 million by 2030 – far exceeding its current capacity.
The new international passenger terminal building will be able to accommodate up to 7.5 million passengers annually. Further developments include aero-boarding bridges, and state-of-the-art baggage handling systems.
The new terminal building will host a wide range of food and beverage outlets, retail spaces, lounges and other services. The new runway will be able to accommodate A380 aircrafts, which are the largest used in commercial operations today.
Velana’s new seaplane facility will accommodate more than 80 seaplanes - a 50% increase on the existing capacity.
The new seaplane terminal will be able to accommodate spacious lounges, extra boarding gates and office spaces.
]]>The country is in its peak tourist season as more travel restrictions are lifted around the globe. 95% of resorts are fully booked and there are only few rooms available for Christmas and New Year season.
33 international airlines now operate direct flights to the Maldives, compared to 28 at the beginning of 2021.
Airlines such as British Airways are operating direct flights once more, coinciding with the period between November and April when the weather is consistently warm and sunny. This is when the majority of tourists from Europe and the Far East prefer to visit the island nation.
To date, India and Russia have represented the largest tourist markets during 2021, followed by the USA, Saudi Arabia and countries in Europe. Emirates carries the highest number of passengers to the country, followed by Qatar Airways.
Visitor numbers are expected to get back up to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 and grow significantly over the coming years.
With tourism so important to the Maldives economically the Government is keen to broaden its offer and realise its full potential.
The Maldives is made up of 1,190 islands in the Indian Ocean. Private resorts occupy 160 of those, with another 190 inhabited by local residents. That means the vast majority are unoccupied, offering vast potential to increase the tourism offer.
In a post-pandemic world, the huge array of islands that make up the Maldives provide a natural form of social distancing. Realising the value of tourism to the country and the capacity to vastly extend this market, the Government is keen to spread tourism out across the nation.
Hanimaadhoo and Addu International Airports are receiving upgrades which will create an international gateway in the North and South of Maldives.
Velena International Airport is also currently being expanded to accommodate up to 7.5 million passengers per year. Work is expected to be completed in 2022.
]]>The initiative, which will launch in the new year, aims to encourage more domestic tourism as well as offering international visitors something unique.
Dhiggaru Island, part of Meemu Atoll, is due to introduce homestay tourism from 1 January 2022.
The local council is planning to introduce a 30-bed capacity across different homes on the island, offering an authentic experience of life on the island nation.
Populated by 1,375 residents, the island is predominantly dependent on the fishing industry rather than tourism.
Dhiggaru Island does not have any guesthouses, so the introduction of homestay tourism will completely transform its visitor offer.
The Government intends to rebrand the island internationally as ‘Rihaakuru Island’ after the fish dish for which the island is famed locally.
Rihaakuru is a thick, fish-based sauce made from tuna. It is a traditional Maldivian dish and a favourite with local people.
The Government intends to embrace the fishing traditions of the island when promoting it as a tourist destination and wants to promote local fish dishes as part of the initiative.
Tourism Minister Dr Abdulla Mausoom said preparations are underway to introduce Dhiggaru Island to the international market as the Maldives’ first homestay island.
The introduction of homestay will be another milestone in the history of Maldives tourism.
Following the introduction of the country’s first guest houses in 2010, homestay represents another option for domestic tourists, people on a budget and those who want to experience authentic island life.
Since the first resort opened in 1972, tourism has flourished, making up a significant proportion of the Maldives’ GDP.
The introduction of homestay tourism will benefit the local community on Dhiggaru Island, providing the potential for a new stream of income. The homestay initiative will also broaden the tourist offer of the Maldives rather than focusing solely on luxury resorts.
Other inhabited islands are likely to introduce homestay tourism following its launch on Dhiggaru Island in the New Year.
]]>Travellers from South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Eswatini are currently banned from entering the country.
The ban was implemented on Sunday 28 November by the Health Protection Agency.
The ban applies to anyone who has visited those countries within the last 14 days and anyone who has travelled through the affected countries for more than 12 hours.
The new measure has been introduced to help stop the new ‘Omicron’ variant from spreading in the Maldives.
Maldivian citizens and work permit holders traveling from these countries will still be allowed to enter the country but will be required to quarantine for 14 days. They will be tested for COVID-19 after the quarantine period and will be released from quarantine following a negative PCR test result.
Travellers from these countries who had begun their journey to the Maldives as the ban was implemented and have already arrived in the country will be required to carry out a PCR test. Another PCR test will be required after 14 days, or sooner if they are departing the country again.
The new COVID-19 variant is considered a ‘variant of concern’ by the World Health Organisation.
The new variant was first reported in South Africa last week and has now been identified in numerous countries around the globe.
Even those people who have been fully vaccinated are believed to be susceptible to the effects of the new variant. The Omicron variant has an unusually high number of mutations and is considered more transmissible than previous variants.
The Maldives is not alone in its response to the new variant. Israel has now banned all foreign travellers from entering the country to help combat the threat. Morocco has suspended all incoming flights for the next two weeks, as countries around the world strive to deal with the latest challenge posed by the pandemic.
]]>Countries such as the Maldives are already pinning their hopes on next year’s climate conference in Egypt for more drastic action to be taken by the international community in tackling climate change.
Delegates failed to reach a consensus on a commitment to keep global temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius – part of the Paris Accord of 2015.
Without the universal support of the international community, there are fears the 1.5 degrees threshold will be surpassed, representing a grave danger to low lying nations such as the Maldives.
Representatives from the Maldives’ envoy warned global leaders of the stark consequences for the country if they fail to act on climate change commitments.
The Maldives’ envoy has been vocal about the commitment required to help stop global temperatures rising and protect low-lying nations.
President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, told the conference that the Maldives would cease to exist by the end of the century if action was not taken to halt a rise in global temperatures.
President Solih asked delegates in Glasgow, “What will it take for you to listen to us?”
The Maldives Government believes that an increase in global temperatures is causing sea levels to rise, therefore threatening the existence of the islands that make up the country.
President Solih told the conference in Glasgow he had visited six islands in his nation in a month, all of which are being affected by “severe erosion”.
Reacting to the compromise agreement, Aminath Shauna, the Maldives’ Environment Minister, said the agreement was “not in line with the urgency and scale required” and added, “The difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees is a death sentence for us”.
Former President and current Speaker of the Maldives Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed, also spoke passionately during the summit in Scotland.
He stressed the importance of global leaders maintaining a commitment to keep global temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Nasheed was addressing the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to coincide with the Glasgow conference.
He said: “No point of ground in my country…is more than a couple of metres above the sea level; we are already seeing our coast eroding as the seas rise and the waves eat away at more and more of our land.”
The former President added: “I will not sign a suicide note for my nation. None of us will sign a suicide note for the world.
“Despite all our differences, we all know what the outcome must be.
“Let us unite and use the power of parliaments to deliver 1.5C. Let us save this planet. We are the generation to do that.”
The Maldives has been lobbying for financial support from developed nations to help mitigate rising temperatures and sea levels' impact.
But again, delegates failed to reach an agreement on the distribution of £100bn (US $135bn) a year to support developing nations to help tackle climate change.
Nevertheless, the Maldives Government has committed to making the country carbon neutral by 2030.
Support for renewable energy projects is at the heart of a commitment to reduce the country’s carbon emissions by 26% before the beginning of the next decade. The country is also committed to phasing out single-use plastics by 2023.
]]>A report from the World Bank forecasts the national economy to grow by 22.3% in 2021 and a further 11% in 2022.
Faris Hadad-Zervos, Country Director of the World Bank for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, said: “The Maldivian economy is well on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 crisis…”
The rollout of the COVID vaccine programme in the Maldives and across the globe has led to the gradual reopening of borders and easing of travel restrictions internationally.
After the restrictions imposed during the global pandemic, international travel is gradually becoming more straightforward and more affordable.
This is driving demand for holidays in the country, seen as the ultimate ‘bucket list’ destination for many.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, at least 1.3 million tourists are expected to visit the country in 2021, which is double the amount recorded in 2020 and around two thirds of pre-pandemic levels.
With key markets such as the UK having recently given the green light for travel to the Maldives, bookings and visitor numbers are expected to increase significantly in the coming months.
With an uplift in global travel, the Maldives GDP is forecast to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2023.
International tourism is vital to the economy, representing the most significant proportion of its GDP. According to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook, the Maldives economy shrunk by 32% last year, when the impact of the pandemic was most keenly felt.
The upturn in tourism is expected to provide an economic boost that will benefit everyone, with the majority of the population having been impacted by the pandemic.
The poverty rate in the country is expected to decline to 9.1% in 2021 and subsequently to 4.3% by 2023.
The efficient rollout of its domestic vaccination programme and efforts to reduce COVID infection rates have been key to ensuring travel restrictions can be lifted quicker and that the Maldives are ready to welcome the expected influx of international visitors.
]]>The announcement comes as Maldives’ President Solih marked the country’s first National Tourism Day last month, celebrating the achievements of the sector.
Since tourism first came to the country almost 50 years ago, activity has been focused on the larger luxury island resorts, with a small but growing number of local guesthouses and hotels in the less well-known parts of the nation.
The future vision is for widespread local tourism that will see guesthouses and homestays across all atolls become more accessible to visitors, with infrastructure in place to support this.
Projects include establishing transport links to islands, access to safe drinking water, proper sewerage networks and telecommunication/internet services.
The government hopes to have water and sewerage networks in place in all inhabited islands by the end of 2023, and work to establish the Integrated National Public Ferry Network, a high-speed ferry network connecting the islands, is already underway. Hanimaadhoo and Addu Gan International Airports are also receiving upgrades which will create an international gateway in Northern and Southern Maldives. Maafaru International Airport in Noonu Atoll is also extending the runway to accommodate wide-body aircraft.
As tourism developed over the decades, one-island luxury resorts, just a short seaplane trip from Velana International Airport, became the main destination for visitors. Smaller, more far-flung islands with fewer facilities have, until now, been unable to participate fully in tourism and gain economic benefits.
Tourism is vital to the country, making up 44.5% of the country’s GDP. During 2020, with borders shut for four months due to Covid, Maldives recorded 555,494 tourist arrivals – a huge drop from the previous year’s 1,702,887 visitors. Tourist numbers have steadily increased since borders reopened, and since the beginning of 2021, Maldives has welcomed over 1,000,000 visitors.
As a low-lying nation, where 80% of islands sit only one metre above sea level, the country is at great risk from rising seas due to climate change. President Solih has also underlined the importance of sustainable tourism – preserving the vulnerable environment of the country for future generations while growing the tourism economy. This includes a commitment to phase out all single-use plastics by 2023 and to make the country carbon-neutral by 2030.
The president has also thanked tourism workers for their contributions, especially during the challenges of the pandemic, and said increased participation from women and young people is crucial to the advancement of the industry.
2022 will be a milestone year for tourism, marking 50 years since the opening of the first resort of Kurumba, and the government is planning grand celebrations for this golden jubilee.
The local tourism plans are the next step in the evolution of tourism in the Maldives, giving visitors a wider choice of destinations, allowing a more diverse experience and making it easier to see all sides of this stunning island nation.
]]>The millionth tourist to visit the Maldives in 2021 was Mr Vincent Pitau from France, who was travelling with his wife.
The couple were treated to a warm reception on arrival at Velena International Airport, with a special ceremony.
Mr Pitau is now a regular visitor to the Maldives, having first travelled to the country in 2003.
He said the Maldives is the best destination for diving, so he visits the country regularly.
Mr Pitau said he loves the warm hospitality and kindness of the Maldivian people and expressed his love for local traditions and culture. He and his wife have planned their next visit in February of next year.
The Minister of Tourism, Dr Abdulla Mausoom, had earlier last month confirmed the country would reach the one million milestone by the end of October.
The Minister stated he now expects the Maldives to have welcomed over 1.3 million tourists by the end of the calendar year, which is two times more than the population of Maldives. The current population of the country is 553,115 people.
With two months of the year to go, the Maldives is already close to doubling its visitor numbers for the entirety of 2020.
]]>Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman rely on workers from all over the world, especially from India.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, people from India were required to be quarantined for 15 days in another country and then present a negative PCR test result to be allowed back to their workplace.
The Maldives was on the list of approved countries for quarantine. Maldives was expensive for expat workers, but their choices were limited to securing their job.
Many Indian workers had spent their quarantine in the Maldives. As a consequence, visitors from India had a significant impact on Maldives tourism, boosting the demand for guesthouses and causing the prices to soar roughly by 200%.
As part of COVID-19 prevention measures, tourists from India had to be examined manually at the airport check-in counters, sometimes forming long queues going from the international departure terminal to the domestic terminal area, thus causing lengthy delays to other passengers.
Since ex-pat workers can now go back to their workplace in Middle Eastern countries directly, ex-pat workers from India no longer choose Maldives as their quarantine destination.
The situation at Malé International Airport has returned to normal, and operations at departures and arrivals now proceed again smoothly as before.
]]>Now returning visitors from Maldives to Italy will no longer be required to undergo a quarantine period of 10 days upon arrival. This leads to the promotion of Maldives tourism in the Italian market.
Before the pandemic in 2019, Italy was ranked third in the Maldives' top tourism markets, with 136,343 arrivals. Despite the country’s tourism industry being hit due to Covid-19, Italy remained in the top five tourism markets of Maldives during 2020 with 46,690 arrivals.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many lives and changed how people travel. The number of residents in Italy who travel abroad is still small. A report released a few months ago by the Italian National Institute for Statistics expects only 6.2% of residents to travel abroad for their holiday in 2021.
As of September 2021, 8,085 tourists from Italy visited the Maldives, and with recent travel relaxations, this number is expected to double by the end of this year.
Although there are no direct flights from Italy, several airlines provide good connections. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways connect major Italian cities, such as Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice and Catania, to Velana International Airport through Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.
As Maldives starts celebrating the Golden Jubilee of tourism in a few months' time, the Italian market is expected to grow to previous levels by the end of 2022, and it would be a promising year for Maldives tourism.
]]>Tourism has boomed in the past few decades, but the Maldives has lacked a coherent strategy to deal with the massive amount of waste generated by resorts and the growing capital city of Male.
Waste has been dumped on Thilafushi for nearly 30 years, leaving garbage piled eight storeys high and towers of toxic smoke.
The first phase of a radical clean-up project is almost complete, putting a modern waste collection, transfer, and disposal system in the Greater Male capital region and its inhabited outer islands.
The project will manage garbage in 32 local islands and 75 resort islands in the region. Under this first phase, community-based outer island waste management systems will be strengthened. This includes the creation of waste collection centres for each of the 32 local islands, most of which are now complete.
Garbage will now be transported to Thilafushi in special vessels from purpose-built waste transfer centres.
As well as infrastructure upgrades, an important element of the project is raising public awareness and encouraging 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) behaviours.
Thilafushi, just 7.3km from Male city, was originally a 7km long lagoon. In an effort to solve Male’s waste problems in the early 1990s, Maldives Government decided to reclaim it as a landfill.
A daily average of 330 tonnes of garbage is shipped to the island from the Male region, and the island swells by one square metre every 24 hours. According to official statistics, a single tourist visiting the Maldives produces 3.5kg of garbage per day – two times higher than the average for locals.
With inadequate collection and disposal systems in place, Thilafushi has become a public health and environmental hazard.
Waste is dumped and burned without being processed or separated, meaning hazardous materials mixed with municipal solid wastes and waste burned in the open air.
Toxic contamination has seeped into the freshwater layer of the island, plastic waste has spilt into the ocean, and air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are a huge problem.
The clean-up project was started in 2018 with US $210 million, funded by Maldives Government, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) and Technical Assistance Special Fund.
Phase two, due for completion in 2024, will see a waste-to-energy treatment plant built on Thilafushi and major dumpsite rehabilitation and remediation works. The facility is intended to handle 500 tons of waste per day.
The waste-to-energy plant will be disaster-and climate-resilient, with features such as raised floor elevations and flood-proof mechanical and electrical equipment.
Improvement can already be seen on the island. The toxic smoke has cleared, and piles of garbage are starting to shrink. A huge planting programme will see Thilafushi transformed into green lands, a far cry from its beginning.
A sustainable solid waste management system will bring huge relief to Male, one of the most densely populated cities on earth. The project will solve garbage problems for four Atolls in the Male region; Male Atoll, North and South Ari Atoll and Vaavu Atoll.
As a low-lying nation, where 80% of islands sit only one metre above sea level, Maldives is at great risk from rising seas due to climate change and natural disasters like tsunamis and extreme climate events.
Other measures are already underway in the country to tackle climate change. The Maldives Government has committed to phasing out single-use plastics by 2023, and many resorts are adopting low-carbon practices and encouraging sustainable tourism.
Major sea defences have been built around some islands to combat flooding, and concrete blocks put in place to fight shoreline erosion.
Maldives’ contribution to global GHG emissions is only 0.003%; however, because the nation is one of the most vulnerable to climate change, it is leading the way with ambitious plans to reduce emissions by 26% by 2030 while striving to achieve net zero by 2030 with the right international support.
Preserving this beautiful island nation for future generations will take years of dedicated action, but the major overhaul of its waste systems is a huge leap toward those goals.
]]>The stunning adventure of the country started by opening of its first resort at Vihamanaafushi knows as Kurumba Village on 3 October 1972. In a few years time the Maldives became one of the most amazing destinations worldwide.
The countdown ceremony of the Tourism Golden Jubilee Celebration started on 3 October 2021 at Kurumba resort.
Maldives’ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih started the countdown ceremony at the Kurumba resort and 3 October is now officially declared as National Tourism Day.
Alongside government delegates, the countdown ceremony for the Tourism Golden Jubilee saw the participation of major players of the tourism sector.
In a recent statement, Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom said that the Golden Jubilee Celebration will start on 1 January 2022 and will last for one year. This year-long cheerful event has been promoted the past couple of months and will give further boost to tourism.
Tourism is the leading industry in the country and employs more than 25,000 people. Despite the pandemic, the tourism sector has seen tremendous growth since the country’s reopening to visitors.
With the European market representing a consistent share of tourist arrivals, the Maldives is considered a top destination for visitors coming from the USA, India, Russia and many Middle Eastern countries.
]]>British Airways will now fly direct from London Heathrow to Velana International Airport three times per week during the UK’s winter season.
The carrier will fly out to the Maldives on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, landing the following day in Malé.
Direct flights will return to London every Monday, Thursday and Saturday through to March.
Passengers will have the choice of economy, premium economy or business class seats over the course of the ten-hour flight.
British Airways describes the Maldives as one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Other international airlines also offer indirect flights from the UK. For example, Qatar Airways offers year round flights from London, Manchester and Edinburgh with a transfer in Doha.
In May this year British Airways cancelled all flights to the Maldives after the country was placed on the UK’s ‘red’ travel list.
This was due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country.
Recently diplomatic efforts from the Maldives Government ensured the UK recognised the great strides that had been taken to reduce coronavirus rates and roll out the vaccination programme in the country. This culminated in the Maldives being removed from the UK’s red list in September.
Any country not on the red list is now considered clear for travel from the UK.
UK tourists visiting the Maldives are not required to quarantine on arrival and as of Monday 4 October English visitors who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to take a PCR test before returning home.
The UK is among the top 10 tourism markets of the Maldives.
Pre-pandemic the Maldives received a record number of visitors from the UK. In 2018 the Maldives saw a year-on-year increase of over 10% in the total number of visitor arrivals from the UK.
Before the pandemic began the UK represented the fifth largest tourism market for the Maldives.
Following an inevitable drop-off in visitor numbers the Maldives expects to see a surge in the number of British tourists as a result of recent developments.
With direct flights available and a ‘green light’ from the UK Government - who want to make it “easier, simpler and cheaper” to travel – the UK is now expected to become one of the Maldives most important tourist markets once again.
]]>The Maldives has now been moved to the UK Government’s ‘Amber’ travel list, making it far easier and more economical for English travellers to visit the country.
The Maldives, along with seven other holiday destinations, will be officially removed from the UK Government’s ‘Red’ list on Wednesday 22 September.
Any English residents returning home from the Maldives after that date will no longer be required to go through a costly quarantine process.
From Monday 4 October PCR tests will no longer be required for fully vaccinated travellers returning to England.
From this date the UK’s current traffic light system will be replaced with a single red list of countries. Any country not on the red list is considered clear for travel.
Scottish residents who are fully vaccinated will still be required to complete a PCR test before departing for home. The Welsh Government is considering whether to implement the same changes that will affect England.
UK tourists visiting the Maldives are not required to quarantine on arrival.
UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps says he wants to make travel “easier, simpler and cheaper” for people. Caron Rohsler, the British High Commissioner to Maldives, revealed that the country’s removal from the red list was the result of “great effort” from the Maldivian Government, and that “this is a first step in opening up travel between the two countries, safely.”
There has been a huge spike in online searches from the UK for Maldives holidays since the news was announced.
The UK is among the top 10 tourism markets of the Maldives.
Pre-pandemic the Maldives received a record number of visitors from the UK.
In 2018 the Maldives saw a year-on-year increase of over 10% in the total number of visitor arrivals from the UK.
]]>It will be the third resort to open at the multi-island leisure destination after Hilton’s SAii Lagoon and Hard Rock Hotel.
SO operators Accor have a portfolio of over 5,000 properties worldwide, including five resorts within the Maldives.
The SO brand is distinguished by its resorts' vibrancy and trendsetting style.
SO Maldives will boast 80 luxury villas, including beachfront and over-water options.
SO guests will be able to look forward to designer interiors within an eclectic resort nestled on a private island overlooking the Emboodhoo Lagoon.
Guests can also access The Marina at Crossroads to discover boutiques, a diverse range of restaurants and a holistic spa and wellness centre.
Crossroads, which opened in 2019, is considered to be the largest tourism project in the history of the Maldives. Once complete, it is estimated the development will cost approximately $ 800 million.
Located within the Male' Atoll, Crossroads is located just a 15-minute speedboat ride from the Velana International Airport.
Children can enjoy Koimala & Maalimi’s Junior Beach Club and Camp, where they can engage with the local culture and wildlife through activities such as craft classes.
The whole family is able to expand their knowledge of the breathtaking native wildlife at the Marine Discovery Centre and Maldives Discovery Centre. To explore further, guests have the Watersports and Dive Centre on their doorstep.
Consisting of nine islands in the Emboodhoo Lagoon, Crossroads is also home to the largest yacht marina in the country and an oceanfront wedding venue and meeting space.
]]>Guest houses have been overwhelmed by visitors from South East Asia, travelling through the Maldives en-route to the Gulf states.
The guests, who are predominantly from India and Pakistan, are required to spend 14 days quarantining in another country before entering Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE and so on.
They enter the Maldives on a tourist visa but are heading to the Gulf states for work.
Due to COVID restrictions they cannot travel directly to the Gulf states and require a negative PCR test and a 15 day stay in another approved country before gaining entry.
Tourists from South East Asia have been able to visit the Maldives since 15 July following the lifting of travel restrictions. Visitors have been able to stay in guesthouses since 26 July and the number of tourists, particularly from India, has increased dramatically since that point.
Guest house rates have increased 200% in some cases as a result of the influx.
Many of the guest houses have deactivated or made fully booked their listings on booking websites such as Agoda and booking.com and are instead selling directly to visitors.
A resident of Rasdhoo Island told Maldives Traveller: “Tourists are everywhere. We have never seen this many tourists on the island before. Some do not even have a place to sleep. We don’t know how they managed to come here.”
Budget airline fares from India to the Maldives are also increasing as demand continues to increase.
As demand increases so too does the risk to tourists of falling for travel scams.
One group of 17 people from India Maldives Traveller spoke to faced deportation after falling victim to a travel scam. The ‘agent’ they had booked with had failed to secure accommodation for the group which resulted in them having to return home. Police later confirmed this was a scam.
Maldives Traveller also met some tourists at Hulhumale who told us their agent took money from them, only to find their hotel did not know anything about their booking when they arrived. Luckily they managed to find hotels themselves in Hulhumale, otherwise they would have faced deportation on the same flight.
Another group Maldives Traveller met from Pakistan found their hotel was fully booked when they arrived but were lucky to find alternative accommodation. Although in this case it was a booking mix-up rather than a scam the group would have still faced deportation without lodging.
Travellers should avoid making bookings with unidentified and unauthorised people and agents. It is advisable to check before you book a hotel, whether the agent is authorised or not, otherwise your visit may end up costing you up to the three times higher than you budgeted for.
]]>The country is keen to make it as easy as possible for visitors to enjoy the Maldives once more and return to restriction-free travel.
Over 50% of the population has been fully vaccinated to date, with the vast majority of those working in the tourism sector having received two doses of the vaccine.
The Government announced in February this year that it expects to complete its vaccine rollout to residents this August.
This means that the Government could be in a position to launch their ‘3V’ (Visit, Vaccinate, Vacation) programme to tourists as early as September.
Maldivian Tourism Minister Dr Abdulla Mausoom says he wants to be able to offer travellers “…safe tourism with minimum inconvenience.”
Despite the continued disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic the Government has set a goal to attract 1.5m visitors to the country during 2021.
Once the tourist vaccination programme is launched it will be available to all visitors on arrival, although older travellers will receive priority.
The country has been supported in its vaccination rollout by the World Health Organisation’s Covax programme. China and India have previously donated vaccines to the country while Japan and the USA have pledged future support.
The Maldives has purchased 700,000 AstraZeneca and 200,000 Covishiel vaccines, which will ensure there are more than enough doses for the rest of the 50% residents to receive two jabs and for the Maldives to conclude its national rollout in this month (August 2021).
]]>Tourists who want to visit the Maldives must take a Covid-19 PRC Test. Entry to the Maldives will be permitted only to those whose test result is negative.
The PCR test, which previously had to be taken within 72 hours before departing from the first embarkation port towards the Maldives, now could be performed within 96 hours (4 days). This new rule also applies to those who have received a full vaccination or have recovered from Covid-19.
Now tourists who have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine can also stay at guesthouses in local islands, while if they are not fully vaccinated can only stay at resort islands.
Tourists with a negative PCR test result who have not had the recommended doses of the vaccine could stay at guesthouses only if 95% of the staff in the island’s tourist facilities has been vaccinated.
All visitors and locals are still required to wear covering masks in public areas and to undergo PCR test and body temperature screening if requested by local authorities.
On-arrival tourist visas for those arriving from South Asian countries resumed on 15 July 2021, and the government has re-evaluated and allowed for stay at guesthouses from 26 July.
All travellers visiting the Maldives must fill in a Traveller Health Declaration form 24 hours before arrival to and departure from the Maldives.
A vaccination campaign is ongoing in the Maldives. 50% of its population has received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and mass vaccination programme will commence on 31 July to cover 90% of the population in August 2021.
]]>The current Airport Service Fee (ASF) of US $25 will be abolished, and a new Departure Tax and Airport Development Fee (ADF) will be introduced.
From January 1st of next year, visitors will pay a Departure Tax of US $30 plus a US $30 Airport Development Fee, totalling US $60.
The new fees apply to all foreign passport holders travelling in Economy Class. Business Class passengers will pay a departure tax of US $60 plus an airport development fee of $60. This rises to US $90 plus US $90 for First Class passengers. Those travelling by private jet will be charged US $120 plus US $120.
The current Airport Service Fee of US $12 for local passport holders will be abolished and replaced by a Departure Tax of US $12 plus an Airport Development Fee of US $12 if travelling Economy Class. All other charges are the same as foreign passport holders.
Passengers with diplomatic immunity, transit passengers and children below the age of two will be exempt from the new charges.
Travellers are not required to pay these fees at the airport. Airlines are responsible for collecting and paying this new Tax and Airport Development Fee to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). Next time when you purchase an airline ticket, these charges will appear on your receipt.
The new fees will contribute to the cost of an ongoing US $800 Million infrastructure development programme at Velana International Airport.
The extensive re-development, due for completion in 2022, includes a brand new runway and passenger terminal, a new seaplane terminal, a new luxury traveller (VIP and CIP) service complex, a 45-million litre fuel farm and a 120,000-tonne cargo facility.
Tourism is Maldives’ main industry, and ensuring a world-class experience in its airport is considered vital to maintaining this economy.
This major infrastructure upgrade will ensure the airport is fit for the future and ready to cater for increased passenger numbers, projected to reach 7.3 million by 2030.
When complete, the improved Velana International Airport will offer more efficient operations for airlines and an enhanced experience for passengers. As Maldives tourism continues to grow, it is hoped the new airport will place the country firmly on the map as a 21st-century destination for travellers from across the globe.
]]>And 70% of tourism workers are now fully vaccinated with a second vaccine dose. The Maldives was swift to impose strict measures at the outbreak of the pandemic, helping to keep infections low compared to other nations.
According to the Health Protection Agency, Covid spread in the country peaked in May 2021. Active case numbers rose to 25,442, which has since fallen to below 2,600.
Maldives has recorded 214 deaths up to 11 July 2021 and almost 75,100 cases.
Since tourism reopened in the Maldives on 15 July 2020, 0.24% of tourists have tested Covid positive. The country's daily positive rate has fallen below 100, and the number of those hospitalised with the virus is below 20. The recovery rate of Covid positive cases is 99.71% compared to the death rate.
The government has unveiled an ambitious ‘3V Tourism’ (Visit, Vaccinate, Vacation) plan to ensure safe and stress-free travel to the country. This includes offering tourists Covid vaccinations during their stay – once the local population has been fully vaccinated.
With comprehensive Covid safety regulations across its many luxury resorts, visitors can relax and enjoy their dream Maldives getaway.
]]>Now legal permits to exit home are no longer required. Tourists and locals can walk again freely in the streets of the greater Male’ area (Male, Hulhumale and Vilimale). However, use of masks is still mandatory in public areas and while travelling by air and sea.
The government allowed businesses to reopen under the normal procedure with the guidelines set forth by Health Protection Agency (HPA). Restaurants can serve for dining in customers until 11:30pm with social distancing guidelines. Now physical events and gatherings with less than 30 individuals are allowed.
The country was able to control the second wave of spread of Covid cases with strengthened safety measures across the country, such as the imposition of curfew hours and travel restrictions. The authorities still will keep monitoring the situation.
The government permits to resume flights with South Aisian countries from July 15, including India. However tourists from this region are permitted to stay in resort islands only and staying in guest houses is yet to be permitted.
All visitors to the Maldives will need to bring a negative PCR Covid test result to be allowed to enter the country. And all travellers are required to conduct a PCR test 72 hours prior to scheduled departure from Maldives.
]]>The airline grounded most of its fleet last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic halted the tourism sector of the Maldives. The deal will restructure the airline's outstanding debt of about US $300 million.
The majority share of TMA was previously held by private investment firm Bain Capital with a US $ 500 million acquisition deal with another investment firm Blackstone Group in 2017.
Seaplanes are an essential part of luxury tourism in the Maldives as it links directly between the airport and private resort islands.
Since its inception in 1989, Trans Maldivian Airways has played a major role in Maldives tourism and has grown to become the world's largest seaplane operator.
]]>President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced this at a press conference held on Tuesday. He also announced further easing of Covid-19 restrictions including reduced curfew hours.
From July 1, tourists, locals and work permit holders are allowed to go outside between 04:00 to 20:00 hours without a police permit. All businesses can start providing services again during these hours.
The safety measures were put in place to restrict the travellers from South Asia on May 11 after the second wave of pandemic in India and rise in cases in other South Asian countries.
The country initially reopened its border on 15th July 2020, after nearly four months of closure.
South Asia has been the second largest source market for the tourism, however Europe is still the number one market for the Maldives.
]]>The Climate Emergency Bill was passed by the Maldives Parliament in April, to help counter the potential threat of rising sea levels and damage to the environment.
This includes the ambition to reduce the country’s carbon emissions by 26% before the beginning of the next decade, helping to achieve net-zero emissions.
Support for renewable energy projects – such as solar and wind power – is at the heart of the commitment to help meet the target.
Senior Ministers within the Maldives Government believe the country is under threat from disappearing in years to come if action is not taken to mitigate the potential effects of climate change.
As a chain of atolls the Maldives would be especially vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by an increase in global temperatures. Flooding and shoreline erosion already present a significant threat to the country.
As part of the drive to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and create more renewable energy sources the Government has announced plans to construct one of the largest floating solar power plants in the world. The proposed 36 megawatt floating solar PV hybrid system will provide power to the greater Male’ region.
Other solar power systems will be installed across the country to provide renewable energy to various islands.
The scheme supported with finance from the World Bank will include solar installations on 14 islands, to help the Maldives deliver on its ambitious carbon neutral targets.
With new resorts planned for development, tourism remains as vital as ever to the national economy. Increasingly the focus is shifting towards more sustainable ways for people to continue to enjoy the Maldives and help sustain its natural treasures. Resorts are already obligated to protect the marine life that surrounds their island and more than ever before they are incorporating this environmental commitment as part of their brand identity.
Many resorts in the Maldives have committed to stopping the use of plastic products which can harm marine life. Others have launched coral reef regeneration projects with dedicated conservation centres.
An increasing number of resorts now employ full-time marine biologists, helping provide guests with a better understanding of the local environment.
Some of the most luxurious and exclusive resorts are entirely solar powered. Single-use plastic has also been eradicated across many resorts, with environmentally friendly products increasingly favoured.
‘Treading lightly’ and offering sustainable luxury are increasingly becoming hallmarks of high-end Maldives resorts, providing optimism that this paradise on earth can continue to delight visitors and support local communities for generations to come.
]]>Previously in March this year, the company has announced plans to extend the runway to accommodate wide body aircraft. The work is scheduled to commence next month and expects to complete at the end of the year. After completion of the upgrade works, the company plans launching flights to Eastern European countries using wide-body aircraft.
Maafaru International Airport is the second most popular airport located in the northern part of the Maldives, was developed under the aid from the UAE (United Arab Emirates) Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and opened in December 2019. The airport has 2200 meter long and 40 meter wide runway, which can handle Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. The airport records 253 private jet landings in 2020.
Noonu Atoll is a popular holiday destination with luxury resorts including Soneva Jani, Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru, Velaa Private Island, Robinson Club Noonu and more. Maafaru International Airport is surrounded by roughly 10,000 tourist beds from 3 neighbouring atolls of Raa, Baa, Lhaviyani plus Noonu Atoll.
]]>Nothing could be further away from the technological wizardry that now cushions and surrounds virtually every modern resort in the country. Yet back in 1972 the roofing and sidings of every room were hand-made from coconut timber and palm leaves, the flooring from coral and basic cement, and the electricity for light bulbs transmitted through a measly 20w generator. These 32 humble rooms were part of the very first resort to be constructed in the Maldives, and they were the beginnings for what is now a multi-billion dollar industry that leads the world in the arts of luxury, elegance and tropical exclusivity.
Masterminded by ambitious and visionary entrepreneurs, the idea for the resort at Kurumba Village came after a chance meeting with George Corbin, an Italian adventurer and tourist operator who visited the Maldives in the early 1970s and was left “breathless.”
Privacy and seclusion are what make the resorts of the Maldives world famous today, but back then there was literally nothing to disturb the serenity and luscious isolation of these tropical islands. After his initial visit, Corbin returned with a small group of wealthy Italian guests from Milan, as well as a handful of photographers and travel writers, in order to fully experience the boundless oceanic beauty of these untouched atolls, and also to look into the possibilities of establishing a tourism agency for this virtually unknown destination.
The construction of the Kurumba resort, which was situated on the island of Vihamanaasfushi some 3km from the capital Male’, foreshadowed the now official policy of ‘one island, one resort’ - a policy which has served the Maldives so well in terms of adhering to the country’s delicate infrastructure, as well as offering the last word in high-end seclusion.
The local entrepreneurs invested all their money, effort, time and labour into constructing the country’s first fledgling resort, even though they constantly doubted whether the venture would be an expensive folly or a tremendous success. Yet although their labour was often frustrating and back-breaking, the guests absolutely loved their achievements as a “back to nature” approach.
The coral and coconut structure of the rooms, together with beach views and simple en suite facilities, not to mention the beautiful house reefs and turquoise lagoons, made for an unforgettable vacation. Soon afterwards, more tourists began arriving, this time from Sweden and Germany, and were now being transferred in the so-called ‘Cola Boat’ from Male’s small airport to Kurumba Village itself. Soon afterwards, tourism began to take larger steps around the country, and the rest is history.
Since this iconic photograph was taken, Kurumba Maldives has been remodelled and refurbished several times, and is now a luxurious resort with bungalows, villas, a world-class spa, different restaurants, and boasting all the technological amenities one has come to expect from the Maldives experience.
]]>Thanks to a successful vaccine roll-out, from 20 April 2021, tourists who have themselves completed two doses of Covid-19 vaccination two weeks prior to travel will no longer be required to present a negative PCR test on arrival, wherever they choose to stay in the Maldives. However on 25 April government has restricted visitors from India to stay in local guesthouses.
All visitors other than from India, will be exempt from these restrictions if travelling to an island where 60% of the population has completed two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
And Ministry of Tourism is going one step further by offering tourists Covid vaccinations during their stay. The ministry of tourism has announced on 22 April that the tourist vaccination programme will start in the 3rd quarter of 2021.
As of 26 April 2021, over 90% of tourism frontline workers have received their first dose of vaccine while approximately 60% of the population has received at least one dose. Government has secured enough doses for all residents, and full vaccination for the local population is expected to be complete by July 2021.
Maldives has received 377,511 arrivals so far this year, with a target to welcome 1.5 million. Tourism officials have said the next phase will be ‘3V Tourism’ (Visit, Vaccinate, Vacation) to give holidaymakers confidence of a safe stay at the Maldives’ many resorts, guesthouses and hotels.
With this plan, Maldives is leading the way in opening up the luxury travel sector as the world cautiously eases out of the pandemic, showing that reasonably safe international travel with minimum inconvenience is once again an option.
The government took swift action at the beginning of the pandemic, closing borders and suspending all movement into and within the nation, to contain the spread of the virus. Borders re-opened on July 15 last year and visitor numbers have slowly increased.
Wide-ranging measures have been put in place across Maldives’ tourism accommodation and its airports, making the nation one of the world’s most Covid-secure luxury getaways.
While the world has been in turmoil, the spectacular natural beauty of the country has remained unchanged. The white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, swaying palms and luxurious resorts are all waiting and ready to welcome guests, with health and hygiene the utmost priority.
With increasing vaccinations and relaxed Covid entry requirements, visiting this island nation now promises to be a smoother experience, leaving guests to relax with the peace of mind that everything is being done to make their stay as safe as possible.
It’s hoped that world-wide vaccination programmes will mean the end to lockdowns and global travel restrictions in the coming months… and paradise is waiting.
]]>The coconut tree and the coconut have always held a special place in the heart of Maldivians. The coconut tree is the national tree, and the coconut has been a staple in the Maldivian diet through the ages.
With the advent of tourism, the coconut has once again taken place in the heart of the industry. It has become a favourite as a welcome drink in many resorts. As you finally arrive at your designated resort after all that tiring travel, feeling hot and bothered, this cooling and refreshing drink hit just the right spot.
Coconut water and cream have also come forth as one of the main ingredients in some of the most popular drinks in the world. Their restorative effects are just the right counterpart to some of the hard liqueur and blend well to make delicious drinks.
As many visitors enjoy these scrumptious drinks made using coconuts, Maldives Traveller has compiled a list of the most popular cocktails. Try them out for an unexpected exotic twist.
Pour the rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice into a blender with one cup of crushed ice. Blend until smooth, and pour into a glass. Garnish with a wedge of pineapple or a maraschino cherry, and serve.
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender together with half-scoop crushed ice. Then simply pour it into a chilled flute. To top things off, garnish with fresh grated nutmeg on top.
Pour the rums, vodka, creme de bananes, pineapple juice, coconut cream and sugar syrup into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well, and strain into a chilled highball glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge, and serve.
Mix the bananas and strawberries in a blender until they form a smooth paste. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend for another minute. When done, simply pour it into a glass and serve.
]]>Much of the world is still in the grip of the pandemic, with widespread lockdowns and international travel halted.
But vaccination programmes across the globe are giving some hope that restrictions may be eased in the coming months, and holidaymakers desperate for some respite are looking to the Maldives for a safe haven.
The Maldives is now preparing for tourists to return in greater numbers, with robust systems in place to detect and detain Covid cases.
Hotels, resorts, guesthouses and liveaboards are fully operational, and a Covid 19 safe tourism guideline has been issued by the Ministry of Tourism along with a certification program to uphold proper safety and hygiene standards in all tourist accommodations.
Maldives has also received the Safe Travels Stamp granted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), recognising the measures taken to make Maldives a safe and pleasurable destination for visitors.
Velana International Airport is the second airport in the Asia Pacific Region to receive the much-awaited Airport Health Accreditation by the Airport Council International (ACI), so travellers can rest assured they are safe from the moment they arrive.
A Maldives national vaccination programme is also underway for citizens and foreigners living in Maldives over the next six months. Now one-fourth of the population is already vaccinated against COVID-19.
If you are thinking of visiting the Maldives, here’s what you need to know before you leave your home country, on arrival to the Maldives and on departure at the end of your stay…
For more details, visit the Ministry of Tourism website www.tourism.gov.mv.
After a first national lockdown in March last year, Maldives borders reopened to travellers on July 15, and visitor numbers have steadily increased. The Maldives even welcomed record numbers of private flights in the final months of 2020.
Commercial flights are resuming, with routes currently operated by a number of airlines and more to follow.
And if you need help planning your trip, Tropical Paradise has launched a new app where you can browse and compare all the resort islands of the Maldives with contact details. The “Maldives Resort Directory” app allows you to search resorts, room categories, facilities, and activities. It also provides airport and transfer information, travel news and more. Find it in Android and iTunes app stores.
With all of these Covid measures in place, visitors can relax and enjoy the wonders of the Maldives. The tropical paradise you’ve been dreaming of awaits.
]]>More than 1.7 million people visited the Maldives in 2019, and due to COVID-19 global travel restrictions, 2020 recorded 555,399 tourist arrivals. 2021 will be a hopeful year for the Maldives as tourism is booming again, all visitors looking for its famed white sand islands, shallow turquoise lagoons and real-life castaway experience.
But as the effects of global warming increase, those dreaming of their own paradise escape should think about visiting soon – before it’s too late.
The island nation’s unique geography – hundreds of pristine coral islands dotted along a double chain in the Indian Ocean, is what makes it a paradise destination, but it also leaves it susceptible to environmental change.
Maldives islands are among the most low-lying in the world, sitting just a few feet above sea level, and as climate change causes sea levels to rise, there is a real risk that islands could be lost completely. Scientists believe that if global warming continues, the country could be swallowed up by the ocean within decades.
So how did so many spectacular specks of land come to be shaped in such a unique yet vulnerable formation?
To understand this, we look back millions of years to when the earth’s shifting tectonics caused huge land masses to break into the continents as we know them today.
Back then, where the Maldives now stands was a volcanic belt. As these volcanoes went extinct and sank into the ocean, corals began to grow around their peak, becoming a fringed reef enclosing a lagoon. As these corals eroded, the material gathered on the shallow reefs, becoming sand banks and eventually islands over millions of years.
The result was hundreds of islands sprawling some 90,000 km2 of ocean, sitting atop a 960km long submarine ridge that rises from the ocean floor. The Maldives’ geography was formed.
This unique geological history has given the country an uncertain future. Climate change threatens the nation’s very existence, so there is a real urgency in preserving its natural environment and preparing for what lies ahead.
The government is enacting a number of plans to protect the islands and its citizens from rising seas. These include preserving groundwater and increasing rainwater harvesting, fighting coastal erosion, as well as increasing the elevation of critical infrastructure – the vast majority of which is located by the coast.
Citizens on some of the most outlying and vulnerable islands have already been relocated to islands with better natural protections.
The construction of island sea walls, such as the one surrounding the capital Male, is possible, but all this takes funds. The Government has set out its commitment to supporting and investing in tourism as the country’s main means of generating funds for climate change defences and seeking international financial help.
Biodiversity is also top of the agenda, and the Government has designated various nature reserves to protect wetlands and mangroves and biospheres to protect coral reefs – all important habitats that help protect against flooding.
Equally as important as preparing defences for the future is education about what is happening right now and taking steps to combat climate change at its source.
The Maldives has taken action on plastic waste, passing an ambitious law to ban single-use plastics nationwide by 2025 and banning the import of plastic bags. Single-use plastics are already banned in all Maldivian schools.
There are no widespread recycling programmes in the country, but over the past couple of years, state-run Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) has collaborated with Parley for the Oceans – an environmental organisation dedicated to reducing ocean plastic pollution – to establish an innovative plastic recycling laboratory in Malé City.
There is a range of volunteer and community education programmes, from beach clean-ups to sea turtle preservation, to raise environmental awareness among visitors and citizens. School children and fishermen have been mobilised to clear plastic waste from the waters and beaches, and tourists can get involved in a range of activities to protect marine life and coral reefs.
The Maldives' famous luxury resorts have also been going green – with a sharp rise in eco-tourism and a focus on sustainability.
A particularly innovative and exciting project is the Maldives Matter Project, from the Resilient Island group, which is working to develop the world’s first self-sufficient greenhouse project in a tropical lowland climate. Around 95% of the food in the country is imported, and the Maldives Matter Project aims to cut carbon emissions and cultivate local food production.
If the Maldives has long been your dream destination, be sure to visit sooner rather than later. While we may not know what the future holds for this spectacular island nation, crystal waves, coral reefs, white sand beaches, and all the luxurious amenities you could ask for are waiting for you!
]]>But turn back the clock just a couple of decades and you will discover a Maldives that, while still staggeringly beautiful, had absolutely nothing going for it. No telephones. No satellites. No infrastructure. No resorts. No nothing. It was down to a chance encounter with an Italian adventurer and a handful of young, ambitious Maldivian entrepreneurs that turned this dreamy chain of turquoise islands into the world’s most romantic holiday destination. And it was all achieved by blood, sweat, tears, and kismet.
The man who can lay genuine claim to being the forefather of this amazing transformation is M U Maniku, who was present at its inception and instrumental to its growth. As a young man he studied agriculture at the American University in Pakistan, but upon his return to the Maldives to work for the government he chanced upon a meeting with George Corbin, the Italian explorer.
Corbin had first heard about the Maldives while visiting Sri Lanka in 1971. He was told of a string of luscious tropical atolls that resembled paradise on earth. “If you go there,” said the Sri Lankans, “you might never come back again.” Corbin promptly jumped on a cargo boat and headed for the capital Male'. What he encountered there left him “breathless.”
This first encounter is now legendary in the Maldives, and Mr. Maniku looks back on such pioneering days with a mixture of fondness and unbridled pride. ‘You know, in 1972, we had virtually nothing,” he recalls. “We used Morse Code for everything. We had basic electricity. We had the tiniest of airports. The population of Male’ was just 7,000 and the total GDP for the entire country was USD$2.5m, mostly from fishing. There was no such thing as tourism.”
It almost beggars belief that today Male’ is a bustling international hub of 200,000 people and that the country’s GDP is crowding around USD $6 billion. Such a story of success is without equal in the tourism industry, yet it might never have happened but for the tenacity and determination of Maniku and a handful of other local businessman, such as fellow Maldivian entrepreneurs Champa Hussein Afeef and Kerafaa Naseem.
The riches of that success story are evident everywhere today, but when the first Italian tourists visited the Maldives back in 1972, Maniku and his men were busying themselves with cooking, cleaning, washing, and arranging fishing trips. “We used to rise at 4.30am to prepare breakfast for our guests,” Maniku remembers.
“Our local cuisine was perhaps a little too spicy for their tastes so we had to learn how to cook pasta for them!” Yet all the while they were working on the possibilities of building an actual tourism resort, even though a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) study in 1972 advised that tourism would not be feasible in the Maldives.
“The opinion at the time was ‘tourism will not work here’ because of the very poor infrastructure,” explains Maniku. “So it was almost like an unreachable dream. But we were very determined. We saw the potential in the product and we worked very hard to achieve it.” Remarkably, he was still only 28-years old at the time.
Having mastered the fine arts of cooking pasta and arranging ‘harpooning trips’ for the Italians, Maniku set his sights on creating the country’s first island resort, Kurumba Maldives, situated just 3km from Male’ airport and opened for business on 28 October 1972.
“We had no banks back then, so I borrowed money from my father to build Kurumba,” explains Maniku. “And please remember, everything we did we made by hand – the plastering, the floor cement, the coconut leaves for roofs, the welling for water, the basic electrical power, everything! But our guests thought it was a wonderful experience because the Maldives is a very, very beautiful country.
They brought with them photographers and writers, and when they returned to Italy they wrote about this fantastic experience. However, we must always remember that the project was created solely by Maldivian people, and this is the truly amazing thing.”
Following the success of Kurumba, the seeds for further expansion were sown. “The concept of ‘one resort, one island’ was with us from the very beginning,” explains Maniku. “Other destinations were getting a low-level kind of tourism but we did not aim for that same target. We aimed for exclusivity, serenity, peaceful relaxation.
Tourism in the Maldives spread by word of mouth. We were not an engineered paradise. Everything we earned, we reinvested. We explored every island, every lagoon. I have travelled all over the country so I know the Maldives very well. And we also knew that our product was perfect. We went to Bora Bora, to Bali, to Thailand, to all these tropical destinations and saw that nobody could compare with us, either in beauty or in product. They were nowhere near us.”
Other island resorts quickly opened – Bandos, Baros, Full Moon, Kuredu – and new innovations were introduced. “We always listened to our guests,” explains Maniku, “so we knew what they wanted, and what they required.” Maniku’s enterprises were the first to install desalination plants in the Maldives.
They were the first to build swimming pools and over-water bungalows, and even underwater spas. They were the first to bring in helicopters too, purchasing craft from the British aviation experts Hummingbird in 1993. The tourism industry of the Maldives was now growing at an exponential rate.
Maniku tirelessly travelled the world promoting the islands as destination worthy of paradise, his first major success being with the Japanese market. Soon enough a modern satellite and communication system was introduced, connecting each of the islands like never before.
Liveaboards were explored. The diving industry was courted. Then the airport was expanded and seaplanes were introduced to reach those distant, untouched outer atolls. By the 1990s, the rich and the famous were arriving by private jets; presidents and kingmakers soon followed. “Celebrities always loved coming to the Maldives because it offered beautiful isolation,” explains Maniku. “The paparazzi could never reach them over here, so they felt relaxed and at ease.
It helped promote the country as an exclusive destination.” By the late-1990s, the transformation of the country from a sleepy backwater idyll to an exotic five-star paradise was virtually complete.
“The last 40 years have seen a seismic shift in the country,” says Maniku. “But only a handful of us were there from the very beginning. I may be nobody elsewhere in the world, but here we have made history.
There were lots of struggles, and lots of problems, and it was very expensive to make the Maldives dream come true, but in the end we succeeded and it became very successful. We made our own solutions to the problems we faced. Yet we always listened and we always improved, because we knew the secret: to focus 100 percent on what the tourist wanted, not what we wanted, and that has made all the difference.”
Today, M U Maniku is the Chairman of Universal Enterprises, which is the parent company of Universal Resorts and holds largest collection of resorts in the Maldives (Kurumba, Velassaru, Kuramathi, Baros, Kandolhu, Dhigali, Milaidhoo, Faarufushi and holds island lease rights of many luxury resorts, such as W Maldives, Anantara Dhigu, Veli, Naladhu, Sheraton Full Moon etc.)
]]>The island nation is beginning to feel the old familiar buzz of excitement with more and more travellers flocking back to its pristine shores.
Resorts are seeing greater demand and more airlines are opening up flights. So if you’re dreaming of some winter sun, here’s what you need to know about travelling to the Maldives right now…
While commercial flights to the Maldives have increased since borders reopened on July 15, many are choosing the extra privacy and peace of mind of private jets.
In fact, the country has welcomed record numbers of private jets in the past few weeks, with 126 arriving at Velana International Airport throughout October. That’s a significant increase from 28 jets during the last 15 days of July.
Private flights offer far fewer opportunities to come into contact with the virus at departure and arrival, and of course during your journey.
If you’re planning your Maldives holiday, it’s worth considering this travel option.
Luxury resorts in the country have reported a steady increase in visitors since borders reopened, and a surge during October. Mid-range resorts and guesthouses are also seeing demand increase.
A large percentage of these visitors are Western holidaymakers seeking respite from Covid restrictions and a chance to relax in the sun as winter hits.
Split stays are also now permitted – meaning visitors can split their stay between resorts, ocean safaris and guesthouses, offering the chance to experience the many sides of the Maldives once again.
While holiday bookings are increasing, tourist numbers are still far below what’s normally expected and so visitors can expect more privacy and first class service than ever before.
Twenty two airlines have re-started flights to the Maldives, including Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air India, British Airways and China Southern Airlines.
Emirates and Qatar has also increased the frequency of its flights to the Maldives. New flight options are opening up, and airlines are beginning to offer greater flexibility with bookings to reflect the uncertain times we’re facing – all positive news for travellers.
Earlier in October the UK added the Maldives to its travel corridor list, removing the requirement for British holidaymakers to quarantine on their arrival home. This reflects the relatively low number of Covid cases in the Maldives and the robust action Government has taken in controlling the spread of the virus.
The UK has been put into a four week lockdown ending early December, putting a stop on all non-essential international travel. However holidaymakers can still plan ahead for winter sun in the lead up to Christmas and into the New Year.
The state of Qatar has also relaxed travel restrictions, with the Maldives on its new ‘Green List’ of low-risk countries Qatari residents can travel to.
The future of tourism in the Maldives may look very different to what has come before but one thing is certain – the appeal of this island nation will never fade.
]]>Before entering the Maldives, visitors must do a nucleic acid test (PCR test) for COVID-19. This test must be done under the new rule announced yesterday, no earlier than 96 hours (previously it was 72 hours) before embarking from the first port towards the Maldives and must be negative. PCR test for COVID-19 must also be done within 96 hours prior to departure from the Maldives. If a different time frame for testing is required by the country of destination, visitors must comply with it. Costs related to the PCR testing are borne by the tourist or the guest house.
When arriving in the Maldives, you should wear a face covering mask. This measure is also mandatory for everyone in public places around the entire archipelago. Cafes, restaurants and shops must follow infection prevention measures included in the HPA guidelines to allow tourists in.
When staying in the Maldives, it is highly recommended to download TraceEkee, a contact tracing app. People who are placed under quarantine or report COVID-19 symptoms are asked to register in the “Haalubelun” web portal. Visitors can only travel from a resort and/or tourist guest house island to another, but not from a resort and/or tourist guest house island to another non-tourist island or to an island with travel restrictions and being monitored by HPA. Moreover, in order to limit the spread of the COVID-19, tourists moving from one island to another should undergo an exit screening, including temperature check, to ensure that they do not have any fever or respiratory symptoms and are not under quarantine or isolation. In case of a person presenting any symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, running nose or shortness of breath, travel is forbidden, and COVID-19 testing is required.
If a person shows any of the COVID-19 symptoms, he or she must be immediately isolated, and wear a face covering mask. Medical consultation and COVID-19 testing should be done at the island’s clinic. If the test results are negative, the person can exit isolation; if positive, the HPA and the COVID-19 task force of the island must be informed. Close contacts of the person resulting positive should be traced, must take a PCR test and put under quarantine in the island’s designated facility. The COVID-19 task force will carry out daily checks on quarantined people and report their conditions to the clinical management advisory team (CMAT) so that appropriate care can be provided as needed.
]]>He returned the following year with the 22 guests, mainly journalists and photographers, to share his experience of the country. And so on 16 February 1972, the first group of tourists arrived in the Maldives. The intrepid travellers flew on an Air Ceylon charter flight from Colombo and landed on a small airstrip in Hulhule Island (now Velana International Airport) before they were ferried across to the mainland on a Dhoni (traditional boat).
The group found a nation untouched - inhabited by less than 100,000 citizens without telephones, cars or policemen. Their accommodation was arranged in three private houses in the capital Male’, with several young Maldivians – later to become some of the country’s biggest tourism entrepreneurs – cooking and cleaning for them.
In those days, Maldivian houses were made from coral rather than concrete and were topped by thatched roofs skilfully woven together. Each had its own verdant garden filled with multi-coloured flowers and trees hanging with exotic fruits such as mangoes, papaya and breadfruit.
The country then had a single disco in Male’ city, known as ‘’Ice House’’, which the early tourists attended, mingling happily with the locals.
The local hosts, young Maldivians accompanied the group to a different nearby islands everyday, some uninhabited but all unspoilt by the excesses of modern life. It was a big challenge for young Maldivians to cater tourists at first time. They didn't know how to cook for them or how to deal with them. The lunch on the first day brought to a fore the wide gap in the culinary tastes of the two countries.
The menu, consisting of Biryani, curry, rice and a host of other local dishes, proved too spicy for the Europeans' sensitive palates. And so the Italians decided to cook for themselves. They went spear fishing, a favourite activity among them, and caught an array of exotic fish including sharks, eels, snappers, barracudas and groupers all of which soon made its way onto the barbecue and onto their dinner plates. Indeed, the first tourist brochure printed by Corbin boasted of the joys of spear fishing in the Maldives.
The Italians spent their trip snorkelling in clear, turquoise lagoons and photographing the thriving underwater life, the rainbow-coloured fish swimming contentedly in and out of the coral. They lounged on glorious white sandy beaches by day and went for moonlit walks under the starry sky at night.
After returning to Italy following their 12-day trip, the group penned articles and published photos narrating their tales of the virgin beaches with their swaying coconut palms. Their visit opened the door to Maldives tourism and Corbin swiftly set up a travel agency, and continued to send Italian tourists to the Maldives on a regular basis. The country’s first two resorts, Kurumba and Bandos, built using local materials of corals, coconut wood and palm thatch was opened in 1972. It was the start of the multi-billion dollar tourist industry that sees over 1,400,000 visitors, 3 time more than the population of the country, flock to the Maldives annually to share in some of those very same experiences as those Italians who first stepped foot upon the country's pristine shores.
Previous visitors to the Maldives had included shipwrecked sailors, foreign armies, and passing – then, in the 1960s, brave American drivers, a handful of German travellers, and a few flower children taking a side road off the hippie trail. But a now-famous UN report had concluded in the 1960s that the remote island stake lacked all the facilities required to make tourism a success.
Yet though amenities were basic and communications virtually non-existent, the Italians, found the same sunshine, sea, pure white sand and extravagant coral reefs that, forty-seven years later, bring more than 1.4 million visitors to the Maldives every year.
]]>The government is preparing to reopen the country’s borders, after the Covid-19 lockdown put a hold on all tourism activities in the island nation.
A number of resorts are due to open on July 15, with more following in August and September. October will see all resorts, hotels and guesthouses in the country reopened.
The Maldives has been under a strict lockdown since early March, putting a halt to all movement between islands and all resort bookings. Swift and decisive action ensured confirmed cases remained far below expected levels.
With lockdowns easing around the world, international travel is a possibility once more and the Maldives, always a dream destination, is likely to be top of the list for many. Germany and UAE have already announced that Maldives is a safe place to travel to and other countries are expected to follow.
Airports in the Maldives are fully prepared for operation, with 10 international airlines already confirming they will restart flights immediately after borders reopen on July, including Qatar, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Sri Lankan Airlines.
This means that those dreaming of their tropical getaway can now plan their trip, following guidance set out by the Ministry of Tourism.
Strong precautionary measures will be in place, from ports of entry, to transfers and accommodation. Strict rules on one metre distancing, facemasks, PPE and hygiene have been outlined for all airport, resort, guesthouse and tourist vessel staff, and guidance for testing and isolating suspected or confirmed coronavirus cases. Vessels, guest houses and hotels on inhabited islands will not be permitted to accept tourists who have tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival, until further notice.
If you’re thinking of travelling to the Maldives, here’s what you need to know:
• You must have a prior confirmed booking in a registered tourist facility.
• All visitors are encouraged to install the contact tracing application upon or before arrival into the country.
• Temperature checks and screening measures will be carried out at the first point of entry.
• Those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms on arrival will be tested, along with anyone they are travelling with.
• If travellers test positive or display symptoms at the airport they will be isolated immediately.
• Tourists requiring testing on arrival will be accommodated in a transit facility until results are received.
• Visitors that test positive at the airport will be isolated at their booked accommodation or in a government run facility, at the preference of the host accommodation and dependent on medical condition.
• Health Authorities may conduct random testing on incoming travellers.
• Resorts are required to have resident medical officers on site who have undergone specialist certified COVID-19 training.
It is hoped these measures will be eased by September.
While life across the world has been dramatically altered, one thing that hasn’t changed is the spectacular beauty of the Maldives. The white sand, sparkling Indian Ocean and lush greenery of this tropical paradise still awaits.
The vibrant underwater life that attracts divers and snorkelers from all over the globe is flourishing and resorts are excited to welcome visitors once more, with their utmost safety the priority.
]]>Many men died on its serene shores, mainly through accidents and illness, and their service is commemorated at the Maldives’ only war memorial on Gan Island.
Anyone who travels beyond the pristine beaches and unbridled luxury of the more northern resorts will find a stone pillar and two large guns on the lawn outside the former Royal Air Force Headquarters at Gan, bearing the names of 70 servicemen who died there during World War II.
With the outbreak of World War II, the Maldives became an essential link in the allied defences against the Japanese in the Indian Ocean.
The British secretly began building their base, known as ‘Port T’, in 1941. Gan Island was completely cleared of vegetation to make way for a runway, and its villagers were relocated. Operations spread to other parts of Addu, with a base for seaplanes built at Hithadhoo lagoon, where planes flew in from as far away as Singapore and Sri Lanka, and underground bunkers for supplies and bombs constructed at Maradhoo. A series of causeways were also constructed between the main islands, and anti-submarine nets and mines were installed around the atoll.
The enemy was never far away from this tropical outpost, and U-boats patrolled the waters. In March 1944, the German submarine U-183 fired through the Gan channel, torpedoing the oil tanker British Loyalty that was anchored in the Addu lagoon. The tanker was damaged but not sunk, and its oil spilt out into the lagoon and beaches.
The British Loyalty was repaired, and remained in the atoll as a storage hulk for the rest of the war. It was finally scuttled in January 1946 inside the atoll to the southeast of Hithadhoo. The wreck now sits at the bottom of the lagoon and is one of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives.
The men who served and died in the Addu Atoll were predominately Indian, members of the Bengal and Indian regiments who were stationed there soon after the base was constructed.
When World War II ended, the RAF (British Royal Air Force) wanted to hold onto this strategic position at Addu, building a new airbase at Gan and a radio-communications centre at Hithadhoo in 1957. It was an ideal re-fuelling and supply post on the route linking the UK to Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and the rest of East Asia.
A lease was granted to the British to occupy the Addu Atoll Gan island for 30 years, an agreement that was upheld after the Maldives gained independence in 1965. In fact, the British withdrew from Addu in 1976, before the lease expired.
RAF Gan was a busy and important base. It covered one of the largest aerial search areas in the world and handled thousands of aircraft and passengers during its operation.
The buildings are well preserved, and today, the RAF airfield at Gan has become an international airport. The base itself has been transformed into one of Addu’s few resorts, the Equator Village, and the old forces hospital now houses a dive centre.
Addu Atoll is the biggest (in terms of population) and most important (in terms of economics and administration) area of the Maldives after the capital Malé. This bird-shaped atoll is made up of around 20 uninhabited islands and six inhabited islands.
The four main inhabited islands in Addu Atoll – Gan, Feydhoo, Maradhoo, and Hithadhoo, are known collectively as Addu City, one of only three urban areas to get the status of "city" other than Malé (the others being Fuvamulah and Kulhudhuffushi). The bridges and causeways that link them create the longest continuous stretch of land in the Maldives, at 14km.
There are just three resorts this far south, plus a few guesthouses, but the real appeal is the chance to experience a side of the Maldives that’s down to earth and largely unpolished rather than five-star and all-inclusive.
Unlike many of the luxury resort islands, the guests and staff have access to the local villages, meaning staff can go home at the end of the day, and travellers get to see beyond the sheen and glamour to what life is really like in the Maldives.
Tourism in this southernmost atoll has been slowly expanding over the past few years, attracting those who want to journey beyond the slick resorts, experiencing village life and learning about Maldives' history.
The Addu Atoll is one of the fascinating corners of the Maldives and is definitely worth the extra 300-mile trip from Malé.
]]>The country is now highly connected and, by the end of the year, will have a total of 16 airports, and the other two are scheduled to open in 2020. International flights serve the three main airports of Maldives (Velana International Airport, Gan International Airport and Hanimaadhoo International Airport), while seaplanes and domestic flights conveniently connect the archipelago. Private jets are also used to reach these airports.
Alongside charter and scheduled flights operated by international airlines, the Maldives has three airlines: Maldivian, FlyMe and Manta Air. The national airline, Maldivian, has 23 air crafts and provides international flights to countries such as India, China, Thailand and Bangladesh, as well as domestic connections.
Domestic routes are also served by FlyMe, which is operated by Villa Air and connects some islands of the archipelago, and by Manta Air, which flies from and to Malé, Dharavandhoo and Dhaalu Airport. Transport to resorts is also provided by the two seaplane companies operating throughout the archipelago: Trans Maldivian Airways, which serves over 70 resorts with its 52 seaplanes, and the state-owned airline Maldivian, which operates nine seaplanes.
List of Airports in the Maldives…
1. Velana International Airport, also known as Malé International Airport, is the main international airport of the Maldives. Located on Hulhulé island, a few minutes away from Malé, 98% of international flights arriving and departing from the Maldives use this airport.
2. Gan International Airport is located on the island of Gan, in Addu Atoll, the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. SriLankan Airlines serves this airport with regular flights from and to Colombo. Gan International Airport is also served by Maldivian, which operates on domestic routes (Malé, Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo and Kooddoo).
3. Hanimaadhoo International Airport is on Haa Dhaalu Atoll, in the north of the archipelago. Maldivian Airline operates from this airport, serving domestic destinations (Malé, Dharavandhoo and Ifuru) and Thiruvananthapuram in India.
4. Maafaru International Airport is an international airport on the island of Maafaru, in Noonu Atoll (North Maldives). It is scheduled to open this month (September 2019). This airport will serve the area with international and domestic scheduled flights and private jets, which will provide the many luxury resorts with convenient connections in this atoll.
5. Kaadedhdhoo Airport is on the island of Kaadedhdhoo in Huvadhu Atoll (South Maldives). Maldivian Airline operates from and to this airport with domestic flights to Malé, Gan and Kadhdhoo.
6. Ifuru Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Ifuru (Raa Atoll, North Maldives). Maldivian Airline operates regular flights from and to Malé, Dharavandhoo and Hanimaadhoo.
7. Dharavandhoo Airport is a domestic airport on the island of Dharavandhoo (Baa Atoll, North Maldives). The airport is served by FlyMe, Maldivian Airline and Manta Air, with domestic flights to Malé, Ifuru and Hanimaadhoo.
8. Thimarafushi Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Thimarafushi in Thaa Atoll (South Maldives). Maldivian Airline serves this airport with flights from and to Malé.
9. Kadhdhoo Airport is a domestic airport on the island of Kadhdhoo in Laamu Atoll (South Maldives). Maldivian Airline serves this airport with regular flights from and to Malé, Gan, Kaadedhdhoo and Kooddoo.
10. Fuvahmulah Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Fuvahmulah in Gnaviyani Atoll (South Maldives). Maldivian Airline and FlyMe operate from this airport with flights from and to Malé and Gan.
11. Dhaalu Airport is a domestic airport on the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll (South Maldives). Manta Air serves this airport with flights from and to Malé.
12. Villa Airport Maamingili is located on the island of Maamingili, in Alif Dhaalu Atoll (South of Maldives). FlyMe operates domestic flights from and to Malé.
13. Kulhudhuffushi Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Kulhudhuffushi, in Haa Dhaalu Atoll (North Maldives). It began its service in August 2019 with flights to Malé operated by Maldivian Airline.
Other five airports are expecting to start their service by 2020.
14. Funadhoo Airport is a domestic airport on the island of Funadhoo, in Shaviyani Atoll (North Maldives). This airport is scheduled to open by the end of 2019.
15. Madivaru Airport is a domestic airport on the island of Madivaru, in Lhaviyani Atoll (North Maldives). This airport is scheduled to open by the end of 2019.
16. Maavarulu Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Maavaarulu, in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll (South Maldives). This airport is scheduled to open by the end of 2019.
17. Faresmaathodaa Airport is the third domestic airport located on Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll (South Maldives). Its building has not yet been completed and is scheduled to open in 2020.
18. Hoarafushi Airport is located on the island of Hoarafushi in the Haa Alifu Atoll (North Maldives). Its building has not yet been completed and is scheduled to open in 2020.
]]>Tourism to the Maldives has boomed in recent years, and now an ambitious project will transform Velana International Airport (VIA) into a world-class facility for modern travellers. Thanks to this $1 billion (USD) investment project, the world’s leading airlines are now launching premium services in the Maldives.
Singapore Airlines will begin operating its Boeing Dreamliner aircraft today (September 1st) via the airport on Hulhule Island, bringing passengers from Japan, Australia, China, the USA and many more locations globally.
Etihad Airways, which connects many European Airports, has also announced it will operate Dreamliners – among the most superior aircraft in the skies today, on international routes via the airport from April 2020, and it’s anticipated more airlines will follow suit once the impressive upgrades are complete.
The Maldives Government unveiled the huge project in 2016, aiming to transform VIA into a first-rate airport that meets 21st-century expectations.
The bold project will massively increase the airport’s passenger and cargo capacity, and state-of-the-art tech and a huge new fuel farm will make VIA an attractive prospect for global airlines. A combination of land reclamation and upward building will accommodate the expanded size.
A new code-F runway has already been completed. At 3400m long and 60m wide, it caters for wide-bodied crafts such as the Airbus A380 – the world’s largest passenger airliner. The existing runway is now a parallel taxiway, making it quicker and easier for aircraft to taxi for take-off or landing and increasing runway capacity from 12 to 36 aircraft per hour.
A new international passenger terminal building, set to be completed by 2022, will have an increased area of more than 78,000 square meters, accommodating up to 7.5 million passengers annually. It will boast aero boarding bridges, state-of-the-art baggage handling systems, a wide range of food and beverage outlets, retail spaces, lounges, and other services.
The project also includes a new cargo terminal complex, due for completion in 2020, which will increase the capacity of the current cargo terminal by 50%, and a new fuel farm, also due to be completed in 2020, which will be three times the size of the current fuel farm and will offer improved safety and shorter turnaround times for airlines. A new CIP and VIP building will provide high-end facilities for discerning travellers.
A spectacular new seaplane terminal and seaplane maintenance facility is also underway, which will accommodate 85 seaplanes on docks – 50% more than the existing docks. The four-storey modern building will feature VVIP and dedicated arrival lobbies, spacious lounges, extra boarding gates and a host of office spaces.
Velana International Airport (VIA), also known as Male International Airport, is the main entry point into the Maldives, with the majority of arrivals hopping onto a seaplane and onwards to the stunning island resorts.
When the airport opened in the 1960s, tourism in the Maldives was in its infancy. The Maldives’ stunning natural beauty and numerous ultra-luxurious resorts now attract more than 1.4 million tourists a year.
Today VIA is home to the largest seaplane operation in the world, connecting to more than 35 international destinations. Around 3 million passengers pass through the airport each year.
VIA was not built to accommodate these numbers, and unfortunately, in recent years, it has not been able to offer passengers or airlines the modern services they expect.
This major infrastructure upgrade will ensure the airport is fit for the future, offering more efficient operations for airlines and an enhanced experience for passengers. As Maldives tourism continues to grow, it is hoped the new airport will place the country firmly on the map as a 21st-century destination for travellers from across the globe.
]]>Divers, underwater photographers, marine biologists and others interested in the world beneath the surface of the seas are flocking to the country to unravel the various mysteries of the deep and to enjoy its spectacular beauty.
While there are many popular diving spots in the Maldives that tempt divers with their unique aspects and unusual sights, there is one area in the Maldives that has attracted worldwide attention in the last few years due to a unique seasonal phenomenon that occurs there every year.
This area is known as Hanifaru Bay. It has become such a hotspot for marine enthusiasts because it is a feeding aggregation site for two of the biggest plankton feeders in the world, manta rays and whale sharks.
Shortly after tourism was introduced into the Maldives in the late 1970s, the Government became aware of the need to protect some of the more vulnerable areas and species living in the Maldives if they wanted to ensure tourism would remain a sustainable product.
This was accomplished by declaring several of the top dive sites in the country as Marine Protected Areas (MPA). However, Hanifaru Bay is a recent addition to the list since it was declared a MPA in 2009.
Located between Dharavandhoo and Kihaadhuffaru in Baa Atoll (South Maalhosmadulu Atoll) of the Maldives, the Hanifaru Bay MPA actually extends to the area surrounding Hanifaru Island and encompasses a 200m boundary outside the outer reef edge.
Every year, from May through to November, the microscopic creatures known as zooplankton bloom in the area in unusually high density due to the hydrodynamic conditions prevailing in the sea around the area during the period.
This huge spike in zooplankton densities attracts the manta rays and the whale sharks in large numbers to the location, as zooplankton is the favourite food of the two giant animals. When the lunar tide pushes against the Indian Ocean's southwestern monsoon current, a suction effect pulls tropical krill and other plankton from deep water up to the surface.
The current causes the krill to be swept inside the cul-de-sac that is Hanifaru Bay, and although they could make their way off the bay’s coral walls and into the open sea if they stayed near the surface, they can’t, because instinct forces them to dive deeper into the lagoon, away from sunlight.
Thus they get trapped deep in the bowl of the bay, causing a massive concentration of plankton to build and turning the water cloudy, a veritable feast that no plankton feeder, such as manta rays and whale sharks, can resist.
This unique location gained international attention after UNESCO’s declaration of Baa Atoll as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011. The astonishing Hanifaru Bay sometimes converged hundreds of mantas in the area for a hypnotic and spectacular ballet of underwater feeding as the 2,000lb giants feasted on Indian Ocean krill while thousands and thousands of tiny silversides swirled about them like glittering fairy dust.
The unique setting of Hanifaru Bay had led mantas to extend their usual repertoire of feeding strategies and develop new ones more suited to the tight confines of the Bay. It has identified manoeuvres performed by the manta rays in Hanifaru Bay that had never before been seen elsewhere.
One of the new manoeuvres observed at Hanifaru Bay was termed “cyclone feeding”, which occurs when 50 or more fish chain feed in the bay and the head of the line catches the tail, causing the chain to spin into a vortex. With more than a hundred giant mantas in the spiral, the chain breaks down, leading to chaos feeding.
There is chaos everywhere, with mantas bumping into each other, and into this chaos comes the languid, beautiful giants known as the whale sharks, each as big as a 40-foot shipping container.
Predictably, these feeding frenzies don’t last too long – an hour at the most – as plankton are consumed in huge quantities. However, it’s for a chance to see experience this short wonder-filled moment that divers, snorkellers and other marine wildlife enthusiasts are flocking to the Maldives.
Swimming with whale sharks or mantas is an experience, but watching these amazing species feeding together in a chaotic underwater dance is something that no diver would want to miss.
]]>Every visitor receives the VIP treatment, and an exclusive experience on tropical shores that are the quietest you are ever likely to find them. If you’re searching for your piece of Maldivian heaven, now is the time to visit.
Maldives government has announced yesterday that multi resort visits are allowed for tourists from this month onwards and local tourism, guesthouses will start on 15th October with strict guidelines that will make sure the safety of tourists.
The coronavirus pandemic put a halt to all tourism in the Maldives. Borders were reopened on 15th July, and commercial flights are now operating on a limited number of routes.
The past few months have seen unprecedented events in the modern world, and everyday life has been turned upside down. As restrictions start to be lifted, many are venturing in search of relaxation and an escape from these strange times.
Nowhere does ‘getting away from it all’ better than the Maldives, and the Government is ensuring that travel here is as smooth as possible, while remaining safe for all. So if you’re dreaming of that desert island holiday, here’s what you need to know…
The Maldives Government was quick to contain the virus with strict lockdown measures and restrictions on movement and entry to the country. As a result, Covid deaths have been relatively low. There is no automatic quarantine requirement for those arriving in the Maldives that do not show signs of coronavirus, and you can transfer directly to your resort.
For complete peace of mind, it is recommended that travellers take a COVID-19 test before arrival and bring evidence of a negative result with you on your trip. Temperature checks and screening procedures will be in place on arrival at the airport. Quarantine facilities have been set up to isolate any suspected cases of COVID-19.
All travellers to the Maldives must fill in a Traveller Health Declaration Form 24 hours before departure to the Maldives. Visitors are also encouraged to install the contact tracing application ‘Trace Ekee’ upon or before arrival into the country.
After your holiday, testing services are available in the Maldives before departure for tourists who require COVID-19 test results to return to their countries of origin or another destination. Please check travel advice for your outward destination regarding quarantine requirements upon arrival there.
The unspoilt natural beauty of the Maldives waits for those ready to visit; its crystal waters and palm fringed lagoons offering the serenity of island life. And now, privacy and service is elevated as resorts open their doors once more and welcome guests back to paradise.
Life beneath the waves has flourished, the beaches remain pristine and resorts are ready and waiting. You can enjoy luxury spas, delicious local and world cuisine, personal service and nature at its best. Swim, snorkel, sunbathe and unwind in the Maldives like you’ve never experienced it before.
]]>Most of the resort spas are set on the edge of the beach, surrounded by hibiscus, bougainvillea, banana palms and coconut trees. The ponds filled with brightly-coloured fresh flowers created a beautiful and soothing environment for city-weary travellers.
The other spas are located over the water, across a wooden jetty from the spa's reception area. The over-water location allowed for a picturesque stroll there across a turquoise lagoon, but the best thing about it will be the way that the architect had utilised the location to incorporate glass flooring over the ocean, which will offer you the unique opportunity to gaze at the fascinating comings and goings in the crystal-clear waters beneath the villa, as the soothing touch of a massage send you off into a tropical nirvana of vibrant fish and the gentle sound of waves.
Discovers a beautiful Infinity spas in various resort islands, where you may enjoy a relaxing massage as you watch colourful fish through a glass panel in the floor of the over-water treatment room.
On arrival to the spa, you will be presented with a relaxing drink before giving a brief friendly consultation on what sort of treatment you want. Then all you have to do is (If you are taking Balinese passage) to decide which type of scented massage oil would you like. Probably you will be given no less to four to choose from, with each one delicately dabbed on your arm in order to see which scent you prefer the most. Once decision made, you will be escorted to a beautiful changing and relaxation area to slip on a dressing gown and slippers. There will also steam rooms within the spa complex, as well as an extensive outdoor relaxation area, replete with tropical flora, plunge pools and day beds shaded by coconut thatch roofs.
Many resort spas in the Maldives has specially-designed villas for a perfect environment for couples as well, with a menu of treatments that can be combined and enjoyed together. Maldives Traveller has learnt that majority of the holidaying couples in the Maldives resorts look for new, yet indulgent, spa experience that can be enjoyed together.
To further notch up the romance factor, some treatments - lasting for more than two hours - are extremely popular among couples. The package begins with herbal steam, before guests are treated to a massage and facial, finishing with a special bubble bath to be fashioned into for a romantic spa treatment for two.
Other popular treatments are combined with romantic touches like special baths to ensure a truly romantic experience, whether you are on a honeymoon or lavish break. A popular treatment for couples is anointing Mud on the Body - is a particularly popular among couples and a one-of-a-kind experience in the Maldives.
The Spas in the Maldives are seen as a place of relaxation and romance together. Everything is set to enhance all senses - touch, smell, taste, sight and sound. It would be a perfect experience to share with your loved one, the great feeling of being totally relaxed in a different place with a special atmosphere.
]]>The crystal clear, calm waters of the Indian Ocean, abundant marine life and vibrant coral reefs make the Maldives a haven for snorkelling and diving.
Its atolls are home to a wide variety of ocean wildlife, including manta rays, tropical fish, dolphins, turtles and even sharks. Just slip on your snorkelling mask, glide into the azure waters and enter another world of marine magic.
If you’re visiting the Maldives, here are the top snorkelling trips. All these tours will provide a snorkelling set (mask and snorkel) free of charge.
Best Adventure Tour
This is a great option for those looking to hit all the best snorkelling spots. You’ll see manta rays, a wide range of dazzling marine life and colourful coral reefs. This trip also includes a dolphin cruise and a lunchtime stop at local Himmafushi Island, where you can enjoy the stunning surroundings above the waves and experience local life.
Half-Day Snorkelling Adventure
This tour will take you to three different coral reefs where you’ll swim with tropical fish, eagle rays, turtles, Napoleon fish, sharks, and many more.
This is a good budget-friendly choice for travellers who want to glimpse the Maldives’ marine world without spending too much time or money.
Snorkelling with Sandbank Visit
Guests on this half-day trip will enjoy two snorkelling stops at magnificent coral reefs, a dolphin cruise, and, for that extra bit of adventure, a stop at a sandbank.
Landing on this slip of powdery white sand in the middle of the ocean is a wonderful castaway experience. Guests are free to swim and snorkel around the sandbank or relax on the sand.
]]>If you’re staying in Male city, Hulhumale, or have some spare time (at least 8 hours) before heading to your international flight, why not hop over to a resort island for that true Maldives paradise experience?
An all-inclusive resort is a winner for a day trip to a resort island in the Maldives. All your food and drinks are included, so you can concentrate on topping up your tan and exploring the crystal lagoons.
There are a number of all-inclusive resorts offering the chance to experience a tropical island. Soak up the sun by the pool, explore white sandy beaches, sip cocktails on the beach and snorkel the azure waters.
Travellers on a brief trip will want to pack a lot into their time and experience the best this island nation has to offer. So if you’re planning a quick visit, here’s Maldives Traveller’s pick of the best all-inclusive resorts for day trips.
This resort is described as a ‘garden island’ thanks to its lush green interior. It even looks like a palm tree when viewed from above, with wooden jetties spraying out into the lagoon like fronds. Pristine white sand and azure waters complete the paradise island scene. This is a great option if you’re looking for a little fun with your relaxation. On top of the transfers, lunch, drinks and pool access you would expect, also included are some water sports, a reef snorkelling trip, pool activities and the resort’s entertainment programme.
Another sensational all-inclusive resort, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo stands at the gateway to the south atolls. Spending the day here gives access to the island's vibrant house reef, swimming pool and exotic beauty.
This adults-only retreat is ideal for couples and honeymooners, offering seclusion and relaxation in tropical surroundings. Take quality time with your loved one strolling along the beach or dipping into the glittering lagoon.
Located at the tip of the South Male atoll, the Adaaran Club Rannalhi is a great option when you need a quick hit of island serenity. Grab your snorkelling gear and explore the vibrant world under the waves.
Fihalhohi Island Resort is an absolute paradise island escape. The beach is surrounded by stunning house reef with abundant marine life.
]]>With summer around the corner you may also be dreaming of getting away from it all, especially if you had holiday plans that had to be cancelled when the coronavirus pandemic broke out.
Travelling post-coronavirus to the Maldives is likely to be a very different experience, but this shouldn’t mean you can’t still enjoy that longed-for break in the sun.
It’s still possible to dream and plan that perfect escape, while preparing for the changes that are likely to come into place.
Some airlines have already announced that they will be taking measures to increase the health and safety of passengers flying in the future.
These measures could include blocking the middle seat of the plane so people are not sitting too close together, reducing overall passenger numbers, only allowing a few people to board at a time, using electronic spraying or fogging to sanitise the aircraft, or changing the fresh air to the cabin every few minutes.
Airports are likely to operate very differently too, including the Maldives airports. On arrival, you may notice fewer staff at the airport and everything is self service, including passport controls and baggage screening.
You may also notice the many circles drawn on the airport terminal floor to assist with social distancing. A few steps more and there might be hand sanitisers for everyone to use.
Many things have changed dramatically since the coronavirus outbreak, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the timeless beauty of the country. That picture-perfect paradise holiday destination is still there waiting for you.
Like the rest of the world, the Maldives has been affected by the crisis and restrictions have been put in place to keep people safe, including quarantine and travel bans.
But the island nation is now looking to the future and the shape of tourism in a post-pandemic world. The main change travellers to the Maldives might expect to see is more space, which some might see as a positive!
When you step outside the airport arrival terminal, your resort airport rep will be waiting as usual, but this time it may be a little different, as they welcome you with hand sanitiser and then escort you to the virus free zone.
During transport to your resort, you could expect maximum privacy and comfort, as you will get a two seat section to yourself, so you don’t have to get up close to anyone.
Once you arrive at your resort, unlike before you will be welcomed with electronic fogging to disinfect and sanitise the air and surfaces.
You will not have to stand at reception, as check-in will have been done remotely before your arrival. To avoid groups of people waiting and gathering, you will be escorted to your room straight away. The experience will be efficient and private.
Now your tropical holiday in this island nation can begin. While some elements will be different, guests will receive more privacy than ever before along with all the same tropical wonders above and below the waves.
Consisting of 1,190 small islands, with usually one resort one island, the Maldives is naturally designed for privacy and isolation.
You can still enjoy all the swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing you’ve been dreaming about in your island paradise, but now it will be in your private beach area. Your room butler will make sure your room is properly cleaned and all amenities are replaced.
Meal times at your resort may be different too, but just as delicious. The famous resort buffets may be scaled back to prevent crowds gathering closely together. This time your meals may be served from an a la carte menu, with gourmet choices and great local and international cuisine.
Even if buffet meals are served, it would be in a less congested style with limited numbers of people dining at any one time. The number of buffet restaurants may be increased to accommodate this.
All this means that budget travellers can expect to get a more personal service and private experience than they might have otherwise. For luxury travellers, as usual, there will be maximum comfort and privacy on offer.
The Maldives is world famous for its diving experiences and underwater life. So travellers will be pleased to know that life beneath the waves has continued as normal during the coronavirus crisis and is even expected to flourish while snorkelling and scuba diving excursions are restricted.
Future holidaymakers can be sure to expect an even more exciting underwater world ready to explore. So don’t give up on your Maldives holiday dream. Start planning now, and keep ahead of the news and changes to travel procedures. Paradise still awaits.
]]>Many countries are preparing to reopen their borders in the next one or two months after having imposed bans on non-essential travels. As most other countries around the world, Maldives, too, has been affected. On 14th May, the government has announced that the coronavirus situation in the country is under control. With the aim of making Maldives a COVID-19 free country, the government has taken strong measures to limit its impact and avoid the spreading of the virus.
Whether you are planning to enjoy your holiday immediately after Maldives’ reopening or at a later stage, it is time to start preparing now to avoid having trouble finding a room in one of the tropical resorts the archipelago offers.
At this time, approximately ten resorts are open for long staying tourists, who had preferred to remain in the Maldives instead of going back to their countries. Other resorts are closed and expect to restart welcoming visitors in the third quarter of 2020.
However, the first step before planning your tropical holiday is to check the foreign travel advice from official source. The website is usually up-to-date and will inform you if you are allowed or not to travel abroad, which countries you can visit, and which measures are in force at your destination.
Bans have also affected airlines; therefore, it is extremely important to understand how you can reach Maldives. Middle Eastern carriers such as Qatar, Emirates, Gulf Air will operate from June, thus ensuring connections with many countries around the world. Direct flights from the UK are not planned yet, but it seems that they will start to operate later in Autumn this year.
Another important step to be taken before preparing for your holiday is to check whether the resort you would like to go provides easy access from Velana international airport, given that also transports within the archipelago may still be not fully operational.
During this period, most travel agents are aware of the fast-changing circumstances countries could face and usually provide packages with flexible travel dates. However, it is worth double-checking this point: at the moment, the government plans to reopen in July, the latest dates are October this year, depending on the evolving situation. Therefore, if reopening dates shift further in time, it is extremely important to make sure you can reschedule your holiday.
As an alternative to travel agencies, you can also book your holiday by contacting directly the resorts. Maldives with its amazing beaches, crystal-clear sea, lush nature and friendly people is looking forward to welcome you again! Now is the right time to start preparing for your holiday in the Maldives.
]]>A handful of resorts remain open and around 800 tourists are isolating in long-stay luxury resorts. A number of resorts have been taken over by the government for use as quarantine facilities. All passengers travelling to the Maldives are being screened on arrival and quarantined for 14 days. Everyone in quarantine will be tested before release.
Restrictions have been placed on all but essential travel between islands and all public and mass gatherings have been banned. Travel to and from resorts from all inhabited islands is suspended and excursions from all islands are banned.
A Public Health Emergency has been declared until 30 April and is expected to be extended for another week or two, with the Maldives capital Male’ under lockdown. A curfew has been imposed in Male’ and the surrounding areas and entry and exit from the Greater Male’ area is banned.
Cruise ships are banned from entering or docking in the country and all commercial airlines have stopped services to the country. All on-arrival visas for all nationalities have been temporarily suspended by the government, effective from 27 March, exemptions only permitted under special circumstances.
The government has announced on 24th April, that issuing tourist visas will resume in July this year. Resorts are offering flexible travel deals which allow change of travel dates and most of the resorts are expected to re-open from August this year.
In the meantime, the Government is conducting studies into what ‘coronavirus-free safe tourism’ might look like and the potential for allowing tourists into the country with proper screening once the pandemic slows down. This could include screening tourists for coronavirus before their flight and after arriving in the Maldives.
The coronavirus pandemic is causing devastating consequences across the globe. The effect on global tourism is unprecedented and it’s difficult to predict the full impact and how quickly the industry might recover. With mass lockdowns and borders shut, the shape of international travel and tourism is likely to change considerably until restrictions are lifted or a vaccine is developed.
While tourism in the Maldives has come to a halt, life beneath the waves continues as normal and is even expected to flourish while snorkelling and scuba diving excursions are restricted. When Maldives tourism hopefully returns to normal, visitors can be sure to expect an even more exciting underwater world ready to explore.
]]>There have been a number of confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Maldives, and emergency action has been taken to help stop the spread of the virus.
So far there are no Maldivian nationals confirmed for corona virus. However 13 foreign nationals have been confirmed for corona virus in the Maldives and 5 people has already recovered from the virus and no fatalities recorded up to date, 23 March 2020. From 16 March 2020, for past 7 days, there is no confirmed new cases of coronavirus in the Maldives.
These measures will unfortunately cause disruption to the tourism industry in the Maldives, with movement throughout the nation severely limited, and any travellers who are concerned about their holidays should speak to their booking agents as soon as possible.
Maldives officials have announced an entry ban for anyone who has, within the last 14 days, visited or transited the UK, Mainland China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Bangladesh, Spain, Germany, France, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
A Public Health Emergency has been declared, which will be in place until 10 April. A number of measures have been implemented, including heavily restricting movement between islands.
Travel to and from resorts from all inhabited islands is suspended for 14 days, effective from 14th March. Excursions to islands for residents are being limited, and public spaces are temporarily closed.
From 17th March, guest houses and city hotels on all islands are banned from accepting any new bookings for 14 days, but this does not affect guests already checked-in. In addition, all cruise ships are banned from entering and docking in the Maldives. All safari boats, yachts and other passenger vessels from an overseas location are banned indefinitely from entering the Maldives from 20th March.
Passengers and airline crew must fill-in a Health Declaration Card and an Immigration Arrival Card before arriving in the Maldives and undergo a screening procedure. Passengers arriving by air from countries with a high incidence of coronavirus may also have to undergo additional health screening and quarantine if they show symptoms.
The Maldives government has changed below resorts and hotels with bed capacity of 2,288, as coronavirus quarantine facilities for those suspects for COVID-19. All arrival passengers to the Maldives, other than tourists (tourists are only required if they are suspected for corona virus) are required quarantine for 14 days on any of the following facilities.
1. Villivaru Island in South Male’ Atoll
2. Hulhule Island Hotel in Airport Island
3. Malahini Kudabandos in North Male’ Atoll
4. Fun Island Resort in South Male’ Atoll
5. Holiday Island resort in South Ari Atoll
6. Embudu Village in South Male’ Atoll
7. Varu by Atmosphere in North Male’ Atoll
8. Velidhoo Island Resort in North Ari Atoll
9. Dhiggiri Tourist Resort in Vaavu Atoll
10. Royal Island Resort in Baa Atoll
These measures are necessary for the health and safety of all tourists and residents, but there will be unavoidable disruption for those travellers who are already in the Maldives or who have future holidays booked. Travellers that wish to cancel or postpone their bookings should speak to their tour operators or resort island immediately. Commercial flights are also thought to be seriously impacted, so check with your airline too.
The devastating COVID-19 virus has swept across the world in the past few months, with many countries implementing wide ranging restrictions and quarantine lockdown conditions to stem the spread. Advice for individuals is to wash hands frequently, to social-distance, and self-isolate if you show symptoms of the virus. Please check your official local health guidance or the WHO for further information.
]]>Global warming and a strong El Niño effect created high sea surface temperatures which bleached almost 60 per cent of the Maldives’ spectacular reefs – and up to 90 per cent in some areas.
The super powerful El Niño event of 1998 caused one of the worst coral bleaching events on record and it took the Maldives’ reefs almost 12 years to recover.
Record global temperatures saw the worst coral disaster in history for reefs around the world between 2014 and 2016. Large swathes of the Maldives’ reefs were killed off, leaving environmentalists concerned that it would not bounce back.
However, for the past three years scientists have recorded signs of recovery of coral reefs. Marine researchers have found many baby and young corals under three years old, as well as a variety species growing strongly at sites expected to be dead or dying. Maldives’ reefs are extremely resilient and have recovered much more quickly than expected.
Now almost everywhere baby corals are emerging, giving hope that the reefs will return to their former splendour. Some corals have shown remarkable resilience, seemingly resisting bleaching even where neighbouring corals have been hit. It has recorded that many coral species soon began to thrive again.
Maldives Traveller has learned that the recovery of the coral reef is due to cooler ocean temperatures since 2017. In the past three years, the average annual temperature was 29 degrees Celsius, three degrees lower than previously recorded.
The island nation is home to some of the most enchanting and diverse coral reefs in the world. However, it is feared that another temperature spike could affect many of the new corals and work must continue to ensure the reefs’ survival.
The Maldives Marine Research Institute was established to carry out scientific research to protect the coral reefs and all marine resources of the Maldives. The institute carries out a national coral reef monitoring programme, which records the current health of the reefs and researches ways to predict and prepare for future coral bleaching events.
For tourists, the extraordinary profusion and variety of coral life in the country is a key attraction. The Maldivian government is naturally keen to protect this valuable resource for the future. They figure that its Green Tax of US$6 per night in resorts and US$3 per night on liveaboard yachts and guesthouses is a small price to pay to experience one of the world’s most amazing natural wonders.
Funded by AusAID (the Australian Agency for International Development), and managed by UNDP Maldives, the Small Island Developing States Community-Based Adaptation Programme (or SIDS CBA), provides small grants to support knowledge sharing, development of best practices and targeted activities.
The aim is to build resilience and adaptability in communities and ecosystems to enable them to cope with the impact of climate change.
SIDS CBA for the Maldives will target two priority areas for action; the coastal zone and beaches and freshwater resources.
Grants will be awarded to initiatives that conserve natural resources and ecosystems and preserve livelihoods. The programme was designed to put into practice, pilot and create widespread interest in community-based projects.
Small Island Developing States such as the Maldives are among the first and worst affected by climate change. Because they are by nature small and remote, they are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. This means they must be agile and ready to adapt as climate change impacts become a reality.
Grants will be made directly to civil society organizations (CSOs) with priority for national and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs). A first round of concept papers has already been submitted, and successful candidates will be invited to submit full proposals.
Being an island nation, communities in the Maldives are often small and spread out, making top-down action challenging. The SIDS CBA programme hopes to stir a ground-level movement, with communities taking the lead to successfully embed change.
UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP has been a trusted development partner of the Maldives for almost 40 years, helping to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion.
]]>The Maldives government has passed an ambitious law to ban single-use plastics nationwide by 2025 and has also banned the import of plastic bags.
And earlier this year, Addu City Council passed a resolution banning single-use plastics in the southern atoll from June 2020.
A growing number of islands have already gone plastic-free, with the movement spearheaded by school children and individual campaigners.
Pollution in the oceans is a global problem, and even the stunning shores of the Maldives’ coral islands have not escaped the tide of plastic litter. According to UNICEF, 280,000 plastic bottles are used and discarded daily in the capital city of Malé alone, and 104 million plastic bags were imported to the Maldives in 2018.
A huge amount of this plastic ends up in the ocean, where it is a danger to marine life. Much of it is washed ashore, spoiling the Maldives’ famous pristine beaches, or ends up being burned, producing harmful carbon emissions.
Widespread recycling facilities to help address the plastic problem have been lacking in the Maldives, but new initiatives are emerging.
State-run Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) has recently collaborated with Parley for the Oceans – an environmental organisation dedicated to reducing ocean plastic pollution – to establish a plastic recycling laboratory in Malé City, the first of its kind in the country.
The laboratory can process up to 100 kilos of plastic daily, turning it into phone cases, files and flowerpots.
In recent years, several resorts have adopted an eco-tourism approach, working to reduce their impact on the environment and carbon outputs.
Most of the resort islands in the Maldives are shining example of the plastic-free Maldives movement. Action so far has included replacing individual butter packets in the morning buffet with machine dispensers. In-villa mini bottles of shampoo and conditioner have been swapped for large refillable dispensers, and plastic straws have been switched to biodegradable ones. Also, some resort islands have replaced plastic keycards with wooden alternatives and plastic water bottles with refillable metal or glass.
As well as direct action and legislation, a big part of the solution is awareness and understanding of the problem among Maldivian locals and visitors.
In 2018 the Ministry of Education in the Maldives launched a nationwide ocean exploration programme for schools called Farukoe, with the aim to get every student snorkelling the beautiful, lively reefs of the Maldives before the end of that year.
By encouraging the younger generation to explore the oceans where they live, it is hoped they will become the voice for change in the future.
Thanks to this programme, and a ban on single-use plastics in schools, all schools in the Maldives have been plastic-free since April 2018.
Awareness-raising events such as the Zero Plastic Run are also helping highlight the issue of plastic in the ocean and engage people in the fight against it.
The Zero Plastic Run, a 5km run/walk in Hulhumale’, was launched in February 2019, and organisers have vowed to continue ‘until the Maldives becomes a zero single-use plastic nation’.
Proceeds from the event will be given to selected environmental NGOs for initiatives towards achieving the zero plastic goal.
All this positive action will help preserve the beauty of this island nation and the health of its ocean for generations to come.
]]>Tales continue to be orated on inhabited islands, and they form a rich tapestry of inspiration for costumes, even though the festivities of Halloween are not well known for Maldivians. Maldivian style Halloween costumes can be seen during the Eid festivals and Independence Day celebrations.
According to legend, Jinni is malevolent beings capable of assuming human or animal form. These spirits, known as Ifrīt (‘diabolic, evil spirits'), and Silā (‘treacherous spirits' of invariable form) constitute varying classes of Jinni. They are said to dwell in all inanimate objects-stones, trees, ruins-underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
Many islanders still fear Jinni, the evil spirits that come from the land, sea and sky. They are blamed for everything that can't be explained by religion or education.
Being a Muslim society, belief in the jinni is universal. In fact, as legend has it, a sea Jinni called Rannamaari demanded regular sacrifices of young virgin girl in every full moon day, in the temple, eastern side of the Male’, (exact crossing point of the bridge, from Male’ to Airport and Hulhumale’). Abu Al Barakat, a visiting North African Arab, took the place of the sacrificial virgin and drove the demon away by reading from the Koran, according to local legend. After that incident Maldivians converted into Islam in 1153 AD.
Superstition has been an outstanding component of Maldivian culture. This is for the most part due to the very nature of the islands and its society. However, with the introduction of modern medicine and the rapid evolution of social development, many people believe superstition is fading slowly from the culture.
Maldives Traveller identifies following lingering superstitions.
Dhevi: a generic term for spirits capable of possessing people.
Handi: a spirit that takes the form of a fair woman with long disheveled hair, usually dressed in red. It is said to be able to travel at great speeds and harm people if disturbed. It is mostly seen in the afternoon or evening. The color red is associated with handi. When afflicted, the victim can be driven insane.
Baburu Koyyaa: This is an evil spirit that manifests mostly at night. It resembles a small, dark child and when disturbed causes harm to people. This is one of the most common forms of haunting in the country. It may manifest in almost any place, especially on dark nights.
Fureytha: a generic term for a certain type of unpleasant spirit. It is malevolent and foul-smelling. It can appear in any form and has eyes on the top of its head.
Avahtehi: a female spirit which appears in ragged clothes and long unruly hair. According to local beliefs, although invisible to the normal human being, an Avahtehi can be domesticated to perform certain household chores. It is believed that these creatures can and do befriend humans. Avahtehi is a form-shifting spirit.
Kandumathielhun: known to afflict seafaring travellers, it manifests in diverse forms: a glowing ball of light, a dead body with a shroud, a ship full of lamps, breakers, reefs or even a heavy shower of rain. When possessed it manifests usually in one of these forms around a vessel. In extreme cases, it is known to even manifest on the vessel itself. If the possession is from the rear of the vessel, the speed is favorably affected; a forward manifestation drastically reduces speed.
]]>The country’s government has done and is continuing to do much to further boost Maldives’ attractiveness. Policies addressing sustainability and inclusiveness and strategies focussing on investments in both infrastructures and new resorts want to strengthen worldwide Maldives’ image as a reliable and safe country.
From January to August, statistics report a constant growth in tourist arrivals. Data show a 15.6 per cent increase in arrivals from Europe, with a high rise in the number of people coming from Southern Europe (+28.6%). At the country level, the largest increases have been recorded in the number of Polish and Croatian tourists (respectively +49.1% and 39.2%). Visitors from Italy and Portugal increased too (+32.1% and +37.7% respectively). Increases are also recorded for tourists from Western and Northern Europe (+14.9% and +6%), with arrivals from Germany and the United Kingdom up 19.1 and 10.5 per cent respectively.
The number of tourists coming from the Americas is up 25.5 per cent, with the highest growth recorded for those from the United States of America (+30%) and Brazil (+30%).
Positive data are also recorded for tourists from Africa (+22.4%) and the Middle East (+14.9%). In particular, a record-high increase has been seen for arrivals from Qatar (+44.9%) and Oman (+39.2%). Asia and the Pacific marked a 16.7 per cent increase, with Japanese tourists up 13.2 per cent. But, leveraged by direct flight connections, the most significant jump in the number of visitors is recorded for Indian tourists (+104.1%).
If the average duration of stay is unchanged (6.3 days), the number of available beds is up 11.5 per cent. These data show that policies that have been put in place have proved fruitful, and new investment plans for the near future (118 new resorts are under development) will further boost this positive trend.
]]>Blackstone bought Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in February 2019 for an undisclosed sum, from the land lease owner, Crown Company Maldives.
Now Maldives Traveller has learned that the company has plans to increase its portfolio further with purchase of 3 resorts operated by Anantara Maldives.
The resorts under offer include Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu. The Ministry of Tourism has already announced the transfer of lease rights for these islands from the current lease owner, Universal Enterprises, which has requested to transfer their rights to another party.
Blackstone bought Rangali Island after USD 8.3 million renovations, which included the construction of the world’s first underwater villa, The Muraka (The Coral).
Blackstone’s interest in the Maldives goes back to 2013, when the company purchased majority shares in Seaplane operator Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA). TMA operates the world’s largest seaplane fleet, transferring travellers from the Maldives’ main international airport at Hulhule Island to the various resorts across the country, carrying more than 750,000 passengers a year.
In 2017, Blackstone sold 80 per cent of its TMA shares to US-based Bain Capital Private Equity for USD 550 million, the largest business transaction ever recorded in the Maldives tourism.
Buying and selling of tourist resorts is big business in the country. The last such high profile transaction was the purchase of Finolhu by the German company Seaside hotels for USD 90 million in April 2019. The Maldives’ continued popularity as a world-leading tourist destination makes it an attractive proposition for equity firms, and investment interest has remained steady over the past few years.
The resort business is highly profitable and investors can normally recoup their investment and turn a profit within seven to 10 years.
]]>The Neyvaa, which in Dhivehi means breath, saw 520 people together with Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih freediving at the same time. Up to this moment, the world record was held by ‘La Scuola del Mare 2’ (Verona-Italy), with 280 people freediving simultaneously during an event held in Torri del Benaco (Italy) on 11 October 2009.
Willian Trubridge, a world champion freediver from New Zealand, also participated in the Neyvaa, which was among the many events organised to celebrate World Tourism Day.
]]>The theme of this year, ‘Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all’, clearly conveys the key role of tourism for the country and its people. Tourism accounts for 28% of Maldives' Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs roughly 25,000 local workers.
A job fair focussed on tourism and targeting young people to take place in Malé on September 27th and 28th and will offer new job opportunities to those who are interested in this sector, thanks to the increasing number of tourists visiting the Maldives (2018 data reported nearly 1.4 million visitors, and many more are expected in 2019).
On October 1st, the foundations of the tourism centre will be laid in Angolhitheem island of Raa Atoll. The centre will promote and advise to enhance traditional and guesthouse tourism in the country.
Alongside higher revenue for the country, an increasing flow of visitors also means that more measures should be taken to ensure sustainable development and maintain a safe environment where visitors can enjoy a great and carefree stay. The government also pays close attention to the tourists' security to ensure the Maldives is a peaceful place for visitors.
To celebrate the 2019 World Tourism Day, the government of Maldives has launched several activities, including the participation of tourists and locals, and are sponsored by many resorts, islands and top brands.
Bokkura Race is one of these: both men and women will participate in this race using traditional fixed-seat rowing boats.
Moreover, during an event at Baros Maldives lagoon, 500 free divers will free-dive simultaneously to break the world record for ‘The most people free-diving simultaneously’, set in 2009 by Italy with 280 free divers. On the same day, there will also be an attempt to form the ‘biggest human ring’ around Malé.
Events celebrating World Tourism Day will end with a conference addressing tourism and how to foster this crucial sector and with the Official Gala Night dinner at Paradise Island Resort and Spa.
]]>In 2018, Maldives’ Gross Domestic Product growth rate was 7.6, and a good performance is also expected for 2019 (i.e. 6.5, UNDP Data). But the strong growth of recent years means that the tourism sector should be constantly monitored, and continuous actions should be taken to keep the growth rate in line with analysts’ expectations.
During the launching ceremony held in Malé on Monday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih explained that Maldives’ peace and stability, together with the country’s excellent reputation as a high-end destination, led to a year-to-year increase in the number of tourists. International investors regained confidence in the country’s reliability and are again seeing the Maldives as an opportunity for investment.
This confidence is testified by the fact that, since President Solih’s election in November 2018, international investors have presented several investment proposals. In particular, the government has approved 23 out of the 28 proposals received from international investors, and 17 of the already approved proposals have been registered.
In this context, the Fifth Tourism Master Plan plays a salient role to further improving and develop this crucial sector. After the Fourth Tourism Master Plan (2013-2017), which was mainly focused on infrastructure and led to the development of many new resorts, the fifth plan has sustainability as its main theme.
Indeed, the tourism market should expand side by side with increased attention to the environment, especially by promoting the use of renewable energy and by improving the legal framework.
The Fifth Tourism Master Plan also acknowledges the importance of women’s participation in the tourism sector. It aims at identifying ways to further benefit local communities, both in terms of new job opportunities and preserving Maldives’ cultural and historical heritage.
But promotion, regulation and enhancement of tourism should not neglect the importance of keeping tourism revenue within the country’s economy. Maldives’ government is strongly committed to achieving this goal, which will ensure long-term benefits and prosperity for the country.
]]>Researches has done into the construction of coral-based atolls, suggest that conservation schemes and other environmental focuses being adopted by businesses like the travel industry can be vital in helping safeguard island nations.
In some cases, growing coral landmasses may help protect the country from potentially being eroded away by rising sea levels. Corals seems have the ability to keep pace with the projected rates of sea level rise over the next 100 years, However, where reefs are stressed and polluted this may be more challenging and cause reefs to be inundated.
Although not actually rising with increasing sea levels, some coral landmasses are changing shape as sand and gravel shifts around them, leading - in certain cases - to larger island areas being formed. This could be the survival of the tropical archipelago of the Maldives, a nation which is made-up of 26 individual atolls and 1,190 coral islands.
Despite coral’s apparent ability to adapt to the impacts of rising sea levels, climate change should continue to be a major concern for the Maldives.
It is important to understand that the atoll islands are still very threatened by climate change and that rates of sea level rise are increasing. In accepting that island beaches do seem to respond to rising sea levels when healthy. Further potential protection of reefs through eco-friendly measures adopted by private groups like tourist resorts will be essential.
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