When we imagine paradise, the untouched beauty of the Maldives often comes to mind.
The powdery white sand reflects the sunlight, making your pupils feel like they're on fire. The attractive turquoise water is crystal clear and shows off the fish swimming beneath the surface like a glass aquarium. If you're lucky, you might spot a baby blacktip reef shark clinging to the shoreline.
Spend some time on #TravelTikTok or Instagram and you'll see endless videos and images of the Maldives and its iconic water villas, literally inches from the ocean. The resort occupies the entire island, giving travelers the sense of privacy and luxury they desire.
Over the past 50 years, the Maldives has skyrocketed to the top of the bucket list and shows no signs of slowing down. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, international tourism accounts for 58.3% of the economy. (Fishing follows closely behind.) By 2033, it is projected to account for nearly 60.7%.
The number of tourists visiting always exceeds previous records. In 2022, 1.68 million tourists will visit the country, and in 2023, more than 1.8 million tourists will visit the country, with just over 500,000 residents.
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“The outlook for the Maldives tourism industry has never been brighter and we are confident that we will achieve the target of 2 million tourists this year,” said CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation. 's Fasmas Tawfik told USA TODAY. .
Now recognized as a popular vacation spot, the country is focusing on protecting its beaches and coral reefs, which are the main factors attracting tourists amid climate change and increased human activity.
“As the lowest-lying country in the world, we are keenly aware of the crisis and its daily impact,” Tawfik said. “Our very livelihoods, which are so dependent on a thriving tourism industry, are inextricably tied to protecting our pristine environment.”
Decades of “secrets”
Before the 1970s, the Maldives, a remote archipelago of 1,192 islands in the Indian Ocean, was “a well-kept secret among the most adventurous travellers,” Tawfiq said. There was essentially no tourist infrastructure. Many of the islands used to be uninhabited, and today around 1,004 islands remain uninhabited, visited only by locals for beach days and picnics. Local villages made a living from coconuts and fishing.
The country's first official resort was opened in 1972 by Maldivians in a former coconut plantation. His 30 rooms were built of coral and limestone and had palm-thatched roofs. The resort was called Kurumba, which means “coconut” in the local Dhivehi language. It was a grueling experience, with guests walking through the water from the boat to the shore, with not much to do except fish and enjoy the beach. Meals were served in the canteen or during a barbecue on the beach.
Nevertheless, the natural beauty of the Maldives was in full hook, line and sinker.
New resorts are continually being developed to accommodate the increasing number of tourists. According to a report by the Ministry of Tourism, seven resorts will open across the atoll from 2023 to 2024, bringing the total number of operating resorts to 175. The government has played an active role in shaping the Maldives as a tourist destination.
Tawfik said Russian and Chinese tourists have long dominated the market, but as interest in ecotourism grows, more Americans are visiting the Maldives. 64% of Americans surveyed in Booking.com's 2024 travel forecast said they were looking for sustainable accommodations.
Today's resorts offer the same beloved beachside experience while pushing the boundaries of what can be offered to travelers.
Part of the Maldivian-owned Sun Siyam Resort, the all-inclusive Siyam World offers guests more than they could imagine, setting it apart from many other resorts.
Opening in 2021, this 133-acre resort offers traditional sunset cruises, snorkeling, and dolphin cruise tours, as well as the Indian Ocean's largest floating water park and FIFA-standard soccer field. Guests can also choose from water toys such as flyboards, electronic surfing, and the self-proclaimed world's first underwater jetpack.
Facing the climate crisis
While frolicking in the water, some tourists may not realize that the Maldives is facing a climate crisis.
Located at an average elevation of 3.77 feet above sea level, the Maldives is highly vulnerable to coastal erosion and sea level rise. In 2018, U.S. Geological Survey scientists predicted that 80% of the Maldives could become uninhabitable by 2050. Islands are particularly susceptible to flooding, droughts that affect freshwater availability, and storm surges.
According to the 2015 Maldives Climate Change Policy Framework, nearly 45% of resorts report some form of beach erosion.
The country is working quickly to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
“The Maldives tourism industry has been rooted in sustainability since its inception,” said Saufiq, adding that almost all tourism facilities incorporate some form of sustainability practices.
In February, the Maldives government launched an ecotourism framework and roadmap in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development, designated 90 protected areas and introduced ecotourism certification.
This roadmap joins a growing list of sustainability initiatives currently in place.
“In the breathtaking paradises of the Maldives, sustainable tourism is more than just a concept; it is a commitment to nurturing the very essence of these beautiful islands,” says San Sayam Iru Fushi, a resort in Noonu. said Erkaim Tabildiyeva, Sustainability Manager. Atoll.
The resort was awarded the International Sustainable Award by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards in 2023. Not only does an in-house water bottling and filtration system eliminate plastic bottles on-site, but the resort also works with nearby local islands to host sustainability and ocean education workshops. Conservation activities for local youth. The resort shreds and composts green waste on-site.
Despite all the efforts of resorts like Ilfushi, ongoing sea level rise poses an imminent threat to their future.
Tabildyeva said the sustainability team is “continuously brainstorming solutions” in the near future, including installing sea walls and planting mangrove trees.
responsible tourism
Travelers to the Maldives can reduce their environmental impact on the island nation while immersing themselves in Maldivian culture.
“The Maldives has a similarly vibrant soul, with centuries of rich cultural heritage pulsating and waiting for you wherever you go,” Tawfik said. She advises travelers to look beyond the resorts and explore local markets in the capital Male (where most travelers fly in before boarding a seaplane to their final destination) or visit traditional fishing villages. I recommend you to visit.
Iru Fushi offers tours that take guests by boat to nearby islands, tour villages, and support local shops and restaurants.
Tabildyeva added that when exploring the sea, people should be careful not to step on or touch coral reefs to prevent damage. Most resorts have a marine biologist on-site to educate and assist in maintaining the health of the reef.
Additionally, given the pressing waste management challenges facing the islands, individuals can pack up their waste, including empty toiletry bottles, and dispose of it upon returning home.
“Through these mindful actions, your trip to the Maldives will be a mutually enriching experience that will have a positive impact on both you and the local community,” Tawfiq said.
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. Please contact kwong@usatoday.com..
