Nestled in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives, with its white sandy beaches, lush vegetation, and azure waters, has evolved into one of the world’s most luxurious destinations over the past 52 years. This transformation began modestly with just one resort.
The Maldives, with a history rich in diverse cultural influences, has 200 inhabited islands out of its 1,200. Despite its natural allure, a United Nations development delegation in the 1960s deemed the islands unsuitable for tourism, citing a lack of infrastructure and international accessibility. The small airfield on Hulhule’ Island, barely a commercial airport, saw minimal traffic due to these limitations.
The turning point came in 1972 when Italian travel agent George Corbin and Ahmed “Kerafa” Naseem from the Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka collaborated to open a resort. They scouted various islands with Hussain “Champa” Afeef and Mohamed Umar “MU” Manik, eventually selecting Vihamanaafushi due to its proximity to the airport and Male’. While Corbin sourced equipment from Singapore, Naseem, Afeef, and Manik spearheaded the construction, naming the resort Kurumba Island Resort, inspired by the Dhivehi term for young coconut. The first guests, including prominent journalists, arrived on February 16, 1972, predominantly from Italy.
MU Maniku reflected, “Initially, the Maldives was isolated, with only basic communication means and no modern infrastructure. Even UNDP specialists doubted tourism could succeed here.”
Following Kurumba, Bandos Island Resort opened, marking the start of a flourishing tourism industry, encapsulating the “one island, one resort” philosophy.
Today, with over 160 island resorts, tourism is a cornerstone of the Maldivian economy, complementing fisheries. Between 2018 and 2021, nearly 50 new resorts opened, diversifying tourist activities. Despite a pandemic-induced setback, the industry rebounded, breaking records annually and earning global accolades, including the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination award for three consecutive years.
The Maldives is also pioneering in ecotourism, addressing climate change impacts such as rising sea levels and coral bleaching. Resorts like Gili Lankanfushi and Soneva Fushi are leading in eco-friendly initiatives, preserving the marine ecosystem and minimizing energy use.
The midmarket tourism sector has grown significantly, with the first guesthouses opening in 2010 on Maafushi Island. Offering an immersive local experience, these guesthouses allow tourists to engage with the Maldivian community. As of late October 2022, 808 guesthouses were registered.
From a collection of islands with no foreign investment 52 years ago, the Maldives has transformed into a tropical paradise with private resorts and local guesthouses. The allure of the Maldives remains strong, and industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on preserving its natural beauty while expanding tourist facilities.