Maldives: The Perfect Destination for Vacation and Honeymoon

Tourism in Maldives began in the early 1970s. The first few tourists that came were small groups or individuals, and the country began to be recognized as an international tourist destination. The Maldives offered the unspoiled beauty of the tropical islands which made it an ideal holiday spot. At that time the demand for international travel was high and the steady flow of tourists since then has created a thriving industry that is the single most important contributor to national development today.

The first tourist resort, Kurumba Village, a five-star hotel today, was pioneered by two Maldives resorts entrepreneurs in association with an Italian investor in 1972. A second resort was opened the same year on the island of Bandos. Despite the basic services and facilities, as tourism began, 1096 tourists came to Maldives that year.

The opening of the Male’ international airport in 1981 provided the gateway to the Maldives.  Around fifty international flights a week fly to the Male’ international airport during the peak season. A modern in-flight catering center has been added in the 1989 and a helicopter service is now available from the airport to some of the islands.

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Today, tourism in Maldives is considered to be the backbone of this developing country as the major percent of the foreign currency is only available all thanks to this industry. The development of tourism has resulted in an overall expansion of the economy. The spread of its benefits has provided direct and indirect employment and income generating opportunities in other industries such as fisheries, construction, carpentry, boat building, printing and mechanical repairs.

Traditional handicraft such as lacquer work, mat weaving and the creation of souvenirs from black coral, tortoise shell and shell-crafts have revived. As tourism flourished, tourist shops began to spring up both in the islands and in male’ along with a profitable informal souvenir trade.