Maldives is famous for its international tourism success story despite the epidemic

Maldives is famous for its international tourism success story despite the epidemic

Although the number of visitors to the Maldives is assessed to be less than in previous years, the tourism industry in this island nation is still rated as a certain success in 2020.

According to CNN, the tourism industry in some countries around the world is suffering heavy consequences of the epidemic in 2020.

Favorable geography attracts tourists during the epidemic season

Before the pandemic, the tourism industry used to be one of the main pillars of economic development in several countries around the world.

The beautiful island of Maldives each year welcomes 1.7 million visitors to this famous tourist destination. In 2020, the number of tourists coming here is estimated to be only 500,000 people. Although the number of visitors has decreased, the success of the tourism industry in this island nation is still considered a bright spot during the global epidemic. While many other destinations are still bewildered by the epidemic, the Maldives has chosen to fully reopen and accept visitors from any country coming here since July 2020. According to data from Michigan State University, tourism contributes 28% of the GDP of the Maldives.

According to CNN, the country's geography offers many advantages for tourism development on the island. Many hotels and resorts are located in isolated locations, making social distancing easier.

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are cautious in reopening to tourists during the epidemic season. While destinations in Asia-Pacific islands such as Tahiti, Bali and Phuket still limit visitors, the Maldives has an advantage in welcoming guests by a tourism model that is suitable for anti-epidemic goals. For example, both Thailand and Sri Lanka require arrivals to undergo a 2-week quarantine at a hotel before traveling to other destinations in the country. The Maldives' heavy dependence on super-luxury resorts that also meet the people's anti-epidemic needs has created opportunities for tourism development in the Maldives. The standards that regulate additional Covid testing at the resort to avoid the spread of the virus have been applied during the epidemic.

Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed - Managing Director of Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation under the national tourism management agency said that the country welcomed a total of 555,494 visitors in 2020.

"Our biggest advantage is the unique geography of the Maldives as well as strict hygiene procedures combined to ensure that the level of spread on the island is prevented. This is what attracts tourists. We want to advertise promote a safe destination for tourists during the epidemic season," he said.

Promotion program for long stay package

Infrastructure plays an important role. Many resorts offer private boat or plane transfers in their travel packages. Thus, visitors can arrive at this destination safely and without having to meet back and forth or come into contact with other passengers.

Jan Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah, told CNN that although the destination has not attracted as many visitors as in previous years, there has been a significant increase in the time of guests staying here.

"Our guests don't come as often but stay longer," she said.

Meeting the needs of staying longer, Maldives tourism has increased the package for guests staying here for a full month. The 28-day offers include meal assistance, high-speed internet access, wellness activities and kid's clubs with discounted prices starting at around $42,600 per family. family (4 people).

Many Maldivians who work in hotels even think they are "stuck in paradise" during the time they have to stay in the hotel to work and support tourists here.

According to CNN, two employees at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa tested positive for the virus in March 2020. As a precaution, the entire resort here is subject to a blockade order. The quarantine took place on a wonderfully beautiful tropical beach in the Maldives and visitors feel some comfort during this time. The staff at the resort are assigned the responsibility of taking care of visitors during the quarantine period.

Statistics show that despite reopening, the Maldives still controls the disease very well. As of February 2021, the country is estimated to have 17,828 infections and only 58 deaths from Covid.

The island nation of Maldives is made up of 26 atolls spread over 90,000 square kilometers. Most of the islands in the Maldives promote tourism development characterized by separate resorts. If visitors or staff have been in contact with Covid-19 positive cases, it can be easily traced and quickly limited the possibility of widespread spread.