The Maldives: where sands are white as the smiles of the locals, where fish swim happily in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, where the weather is a dream, and the deep rays of the sun engulf you in their arms.
Brought to you by Maldives Tourism, this newsletter will keep you up to date on the latest resorts, experiences and events to hit the islands.
In this issue, Maldives Tourism provides an update regarding COVID-19; their new campaign #VisitMaldivesLater; an insight into some of the incredible sustainability and conservation programmes underway; and a glimpse at few of the new resorts opening in the coming months.
The team at Maldives Tourism sends their love and support to everyone during this tough time, and look forward to welcoming you back to paradise soon.
An update from Maldives Tourism regarding COVID-19
During these challenging times, the Maldives’ top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of its residents, visitors and in-market operators. The Government, tourism body and health ministry have implemented a comprehensive set of preventative measures against the spread of COVID19, which remain aligned with the World Health Organization’s advice.
Preventative Protocols in the Maldives
The Maldives has put in place a number of precautionary measures including thermal screening, local testing facilities, travel advisories, and designated quarantine centres. With the recent confirmation of positive cases, additional measures such as increased surveillance are now in place.
Maldivians and visitors to the Maldives are reminded to maintain a high level of personal hygiene to prevent and contain the potential spread of infection. Any person experiencing symptoms of the virus should immediately call the designated hotline (1676) before visiting a public health facility.
For further COVID-19 updates, please see below.
#VisitMaldivesLater
It has been a difficult time for travellers and the travel industry alike. However, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Looking ahead to the future and dreaming about a trip away during stressful times can spark imagination inspire travel plans.
That is why Maldives Tourism has launched its new social media campaign:
#VisitMaldivesLater.
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The campaign aims to promote the concept of “flattening the curve” by asking its Facebook and Instagram followers to stay home and stay safe, while also encouraging them to visit the Maldives once the world overcomes this global pandemic.
Maldives Tourism values the continued support of Australian travellers and tourism providers and will be ready waiting to welcome you back soon.
Not just a pretty place: Sustainability in the Maldives
It’s no secret that as the world’s lowest-lying country, the 1200 island and atolls that make up the Maldives are under threat from rising sea levels.
In light of this, the Government, local communities and many of the country’s hotels and resorts still feel it’s important to do their part and hope to inspire increased global action.
Preserving coral ecosytems
In 2015 and 2016 the coral reefs in the Maldives suffered from the phenomenon of coral bleaching, which happens when ocean temperatures are unusually high, and coral expels the algae living in its tissues, turns white and eventually dies.
Sixty to ninety percent of coral in the Maldives has been destroyed by bleaching, but it is still possible for the reefs and their ecosystems to recover. This has been bolstered in certain parts of the Maldives by coral conservation projects.
Reefscapers has been involved in coral reef restoration projects in the Maldives since 2005, with its pioneering and ground-breaking coral frame techniques, where corals can grow at a rate of up to 10-15 cm per year. This self-sustaining method of coral propagation is quickly transforming reefs and sandy sea floors into thriving eco-systems, acting as refuge areas for juvenile fish and crustaceans.
The coral frames are designed and made on a local island in Baa Atoll. This unique initiative provides employment for several local people and allows them to get involved in marine conservation and tourism activities.
Many resorts in the Maldives have also created guest-oriented conservation activities educating visitors on coral rejuvenation, such as snorkelling trails and coral planting.
Marine conseravation
The Maldives has very strict fishing regulations to maintain fish stocks and preserve the stunning marine life – in fact reef fishing is strictly prohibited in marine reserves.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for fishing regulations in some of the neighbouring countries that border the Indian Ocean.As a result, there have been several initiatives implemented in the Maldives to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the island-nation’s marine life.
For example, many turtle rescue centres have opened across the Maldives in recent years, where marine biologists and vets have access to laboratory, x-ray, ultrasound and surgical facilities to rehabilitate injured turtles.
Local community initiatives
Several community education-programmes have also been created by resorts and non-governmental organisations to educate locals on sustainability.
These programmes include a range of activities, including conducting regular beach and reef clean-ups on local islands, developing renewable energy sources, educating locals on practicing responsible fishing, and much more.
Maldivians are also advised to carry their own non-biodegradable waste and eco-friendly water bottles, as well as instructed to not touch or remove coral structures while snorkelling or diving.
Phasing out single-use plastics
In 2019, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih used his maiden address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to announce a comprehensive phase-out of single-use plastic items in the Maldives.
Mr Solih said that the most polluting single-use plastic items, such as small water bottles and single-use plastic bags, would be phased out by 2023.
In order to tackle the problem, the Government will use a ‘drawdown’ model for reducing plastic waste including implementing a series of ‘smart policies’ aimed at eradicating the most problematic plastics from the country, using policy interventions ranging from outright bans and taxes to new industry standards and guidelines. The policies will be phased-in over time, to ensure minimum disruption to people and business, and making sure alternatives to plastic are readily and cheaply available.
Island recycling plants
The Maldives opened the doors to its first plastics recycling facility in 2018, which was built by non-profit group Parley for the Oceans. The ‘plastics lab’ is located in the nation’s capital Malé and has a capacity of processing 500kg of material every day.
Some island resorts also have developed their own recycling plants, with some being able to store up to 360 tonnes of waste, as well as innovatively turning plastic bottles into stylish tote bags.
Incredible resorts to open in 2020 & 2021
The Maldives will see 13 new luxury resorts open in 2020 and a handful more in 2021.
Over the past few years, dozens of uninhabited islands have been leased to local and international brands to expand the resort offering to travellers. See below for some of the most highly anticipated resorts to hit the islands in the next year.
OZO Maldives
Opening late 2020
Positioned as a family-oriented resort, OZO Maldives will have an enhanced sleep experience and destination and activity tips curated by enthusiastic and informed team members. Of the 200 villas, 60 will be located overwater while 140 villas will be located on the beach, with 50 beach villas offering larger family-friendly layouts and private plunge pools.
Kagi Maldives Spa Island
Opening July 2020
At the heart of the 50-room boutique resort will sit Kagi’s 1500-square-meter spa and wellness hub, complete with an open-air, teardrop-shaped floating yoga pavilion at its centre. It will also house a state-of-the-art gym, two restaurants, three bars, a dive centre and a house reef.
Tolarno Maldives Kunaavashi Resort Opening Q2 2020
The 72-villa resort will offer gastronomic indulgence in the island resort’s five distinctive food and beverage outlets. In addition, the Tolarno Maldives will offer recreational facilities scattered in different parts of the island including a sea-view infinity pool, spa, fully equipped diving and water sports centre, and a kids club.
Opening 2021
As of 17 April 2020, there are currently 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Maldives, with 16 of those cases having recovered. A further 33 people are in isolation, and 983 in quarantine facilities.
Temporary closures and suspensions in the Maldives
There is currently a closure of government offices, schools, colleges and universities in the Maldives. In addition, the Government has placed a temporary halt on providing on-arrival visas from 27th March 2020 onwards. Resort staff may leave their workplaces and return home 14 days after the last tourist leaves the island.
The Government has also decided to temporarily suspend cruise ships docking in its ports.
If a case of COVID-19 is identified in a tourist facility, procedures are set in place for the property to work with the Government of Maldives to ensure safe return of unaffected tourists to their home country.
The Government of Maldives is closely monitoring and enforcing measures to prevent any effective community spread of the virus.
For live updates regarding COVID-19 in the Maldives, visit covid19.health.gov.mv/.
A final note from Maldives Tourism
The world is facing an unprecedented situation due to the fast spread of pandemic COVID-19. As the world is closing down borders and imposing travel restrictions in an effort to overcome the situation, the global travel industry is gradually coming to a standstill. The situation has forced closure of many tourism properties in Maldives with more adding to the list each day. Our economy is hit hard.
Despite all these challenges brought about in less than a fortnight, the tourism industry of Maldives has taken plausible measures to mitigate and adapt to the evolving situation. The tourism industry being the first to experience the impact of the situation, it has remained the worst hit industry by the adversity. However, through the damages of cancelled bookings and the uncertainty of future, the industry has been at the forefront in adapting to the completely new challenge for our economy.
The tourism industry staff has shown exemplary dedication to ensure the wellbeing of the tourists already vacationing in Maldives. The government has ensured safe stay and departure for every tourist the situation unfolded. Emergency medical response teams were brought, tourist support centers and hotlines were established within days. With President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s initiative, many tourist establishments were turned to quarantine facilities creating a capacity of 2288 beds up to date. Thanks to all these efforts from all the sectors, despite the limits in our capacity to handle a pandemic we are proving to have the situation under control for now.
The geography of Maldives has ensured containment of the imported cases. The resorts with their minimal staff, isolated nature of rooms and the privacy has proved effective in helping curb the community spread of the disease. And we are hand in hand trying to bring down the number of imported cases to zero.
We would like to assure all our partners and friends of the Maldives tourism industry that we at Maldives Tourism are tirelessly working to understand and adapt to the evolving situation around the globe. As we are at the forefront of marketing the tourism industry of Maldives, we are constantly on the lookout for the happenings of the travel industry. We are changing our campaigns and message to that of empathy and love in these difficult times. We are with you.
We assure you that Maldives Tourism and the tourism industry will continue to offer support and advice to all partners in these pressing times. We are on the lookout for the “safest tomorrow” to travel.
We hope it will not be long before the world gets to enjoy Maldives – the sunny side of life, again.
Interested in finding out more about the Maldives?
Visit Maldives website: https://visitmaldives.com/
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