How tourism appeared in the Maldives

The Maldives offers absolutely every opportunity for an unforgettable tropical island holiday. Coral beaches and crystal lagoons are just the first stage of the experience. In the Maldives, you will find a variety of marine activities, gourmet restaurants, cafes and bars on the coast, luxury spa services, infinity pools and a whole list of VIP entertainment for all tastes. Nevertheless, it was not always so. More precisely, the level of service that is now developed on the islands is painstaking work on the development of tourism in the Maldives over the past few decades.

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Development of the tourism industry in the Maldives

Today tourism in the Maldives plays a very important, or rather a leading role in the economic life of the country. However, relatively recently, this place was divided by fishing and shipbuilding. Tourism came to the paradise islands in the Indian Ocean only in 1972. Four years after the proclamation of the Republic of Maldives. Although the experts said that tourism will not be here due to the lack of infrastructure and necessary resources.

The first tourists to the Maldives

The first president of the republic, Amir Ibrahim Nasir, made a significant contribution to the development of Maldivian tourism. These were times of economic crisis and at the same time the beginning of a new life in the Maldives.

The first small tour group took a vacation in Male in early 1972. In the late 1970s, 17 resorts with 1,300 beds were already opened on the islands. In addition, today more than 900 thousand tourists visit the Maldives annually.

Asad Photo Maldives

Maldives International Airport as the main air hub

Tourism has contributed to prosperity and great progress. On the island of Hulule, near the capital, there was previously only a small runway built with funds from local volunteers. Today the island is occupied by the modern Velana International Airport, which receives aircraft from Emirates, Aeroflot, Singapore, Etihad Airways, Sri Lankan, Bangkok airways, Airlines and many other airlines.

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The appearance of guesthouses on local islands

For many, this type of vacation in the Maldives is still a real exotic. After all, tourists were officially allowed to stay among the indigenous Maldivians only in 2009. Until that time, resorts and local islands were strictly separated. The development of guesthouses provides an opportunity for local residents to earn a living. Tourists, in turn, can get closer to the Maldivian culture and enjoy the local flavor.

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Maldives as a business meeting center

The tourism industry in the Maldives continues to grow and create new milestones for the country's development. Business tourism in the Maldives is no exception, which is gaining momentum every year.

The modern resorts of the Maldives are increasingly geared towards the business traveler. Meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology will satisfy even the most demanding guests. Diplomatic meetings against the backdrop of the unique tropical nature of the Maldives are becoming more and more popular. This aspect can be considered a new direction in the development of tourism in the Maldives.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

Maldives' first resorts

More than 130 resorts in the Maldives are already a considerable number of proposals to date. One is better than the other, and sometimes it can be quite difficult to make a choice. Whether it's the dawn of tourism in the Maldives. At the beginning there were only two resorts. The first - Kurumba, was designed for only 280 guests.

The debut hotels, of course, were located closer to the capital. The choice fell on the attractive islands of Vihamanafushi (Kurumba Maldives) and Bandos (Bandos Maldives). To this day, these resorts remain in the top of the most demanded, not inferior to the more modern fashionable resorts in the Maldives.

Kurumba Maldives

Kurumba

The island paradise of Vihamanafushi invites guests to indulge in a carefree holiday at Kurumba Maldives. This is a real piece of paradise just 10 minutes by boat from the airport. Kurumba picks the keys to the hearts of all ages and generations. The resort has

• 7 restaurants of different cuisines of the world;
• modern spa with a unique wellness program;
• children's and teenage club with versatile and developing leisure;
• diving center and a wide range of water activities.

Kurumba Maldives

Bandos

Another old-timer resort in the Maldives that keeps up with the times. The picturesque island of Bandos offers an excellent selection of apartments and a stunning house reef. Why Choose Bandos Maldives:

• convenient location from the airport;
• a good option for both romantic and family vacations;
• main restaurant with buffet meals;
• a green island with dense tropics;
• spectacular house reef snorkeling;
• over 40 dive sites nearby;
• a wide range of wellness treatments at the luxurious Orchid Spa;
• organization of private events and weddings.

Bandos Maldives