Tourism


Maldives state of emergency threatens growth
Tourism accounts for one-third of economic output and previous political disruptions have negatively affected GDP growth, says Moody’s Investors Service.
12 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM


Maldives State of Emergency: A City Guide to Malé
The Maldives Independent has prepared a guide to the city for those steering clear of it because of the state of emergency.
10 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM


‘A beautiful landscape with inhumane people’ – How the Maldives crisis is affecting tourism
China, which has the single biggest market share of tourists to the Maldives by nationality, says its citizens should take care.
05 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM


US issues security alert for Maldives
Special Ops used teargas to disperse opposition supporters celebrating a Supreme Court decision and officers with riot shields on one of Malé’s main roads told people not to take part in any protests, asking everyone to immediately leave.
03 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM


UK updates Maldives travel advice after clashes
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which last updated its advice over a terror threat, said political protests and demonstrations often took place in Malé and that some led to violence and arrests.
02 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM


Two tourists drown in the Maldives
One of the victims was from Germany and the other was from China.
11 Jan 2018, 9:00 AM


Maldivian Airlines issues non-apology for seaplane crash
Holidaymakers had sat through two aborted take-offs before being lobbed into the ocean on the third attempt, The Sun reported, and were left bobbing in the water after their seaplane crashed.
23 Nov 2017, 9:00 AM


Slow and steady for Kelaa’s guesthouse industry
For decades, the north was neglected by central governments in development plans because of its remoteness. Transport difficulties hindered progress and even today resorts – a Maldivian cash cow – are sparse in the region.
12 Nov 2017, 9:00 AM


Mixed blessings for Maafushi’s guesthouse boom
The success of Maafushi – and the ensuing development of guesthouses – have sparked concerns. Construction noise has deterred guests, and the loss of sea views has hurt the value of profitable rooms.
23 Oct 2017, 9:00 AM


No Chinese, no business: The Peking Pound and the Maldives
China remains the single highest supplier of tourists to the Maldives, but dwindling figures have heightened fears that the market has peaked.
17 Oct 2017, 9:00 AM


Maldives holds landmark conference on tourism and terrorism
The Maldives police and British counter-terrorism experts sat down this week with more than a 100 tourism sector security personnel to work out measures to protect visitors from potential acts of terror.
26 Jan 2017, 9:00 AM


Maldives clerics roll out wide-ranging religious agenda
Policies were set on a myriad of issues including Jihad, tourism, trade, education, media and atheism
25 Jan 2017, 9:00 AM


Maldives is no longer interested in expanding tourism, says president
The Maldivian government is no longer interested in expanding its luxury tourism sector because of the large number of islands and lagoons leased out in a recent corruption scandal, President Abdulla Yameen has said.
11 May 2016, 9:00 AM


Tourist arrivals remain unchanged in February
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives remained unchanged in February with 120,639 arrivals, just a 0.1percent increase compared to the same period last year.
28 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM


Maldives brands ITB Berlin a success
Despite questions over safety for tourists, the Maldives-sponsored international tourism and trade fair ITB Berlin was a major success, Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer has said.
13 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM


Home minister is the latest politician under fire in tourism scandal
An anonymous member of the public lodged a complaint with the ACC on Monday alleging that Naseer threatened Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee and his staff to obtain a lagoon in Malé atoll for his Whale Submarine company, which conducts underwater submarine tours.
07 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Brand Maldives: the paradox
If fans of brand Nike are concerned with the working conditions at factories in Bangladesh, rich tourists who travel to the Maldives must surely ask themselves how ethical is it is for them to support an industry that siphons off the riches earned by exploiting the natural beauty of these of islands with just a minute percentage of it trickling down to the average Maldivian, writes Hassan Saeed.
09 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM


Ex vice president, top tourism official charged with corruption
Adeeb is accused of abuse of power over the lease of a lagoon in Malé atoll to a foreign company. His associate, Abdulla Ziyath, former head of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), has been charged with embezzling acquisition fees from islands leased for resort development.
06 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM


How civil unrest affects Maldives tourism
The Maldives tourism industry, famous for its secluded hotels, has traditionally been shielded from unrest in the capital. But continuing bad press, generated by years of political turmoil is beginning to have an effect, tour operators say.
16 Nov 2015, 9:00 AM


Maldives ‘safe for tourists’ despite state of emergency
The government of Maldives raised fear of a bomb plots in declaring an unprecedented nationwide state of emergency today, but insists that the honeymoon destination is safe for tourists.
04 Nov 2015, 9:00 AM