A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
Tourists pictured at Velana International Airport (VIA). Tourist arrivals in the Maldives increased by 8.9 percent in October this year. According to the official statistics released by the tourism ministry after a hiatus, 127,986 visitors arrived in the Maldives last month. At 22.4 percent with 28,689 tourists, the majority hailed from China, the largest tourism […]
The road to the southern sandspit of Kelaa curves through thick vegetation, snaking past the coral stone armoury belonging to the British in the Second World War. The overgrowth hides the remains of the Japanese radar station from the 80s, with the end of the hike opening up to a pristine natural pool. Mohamed Khaji* […]
The Maldives’ stall at the World Travel Market 2017 in London, UK. PHOTO: ABDULLA JAMEEL/MIHAARU A delegation of 195 representatives from the Maldives is participating in the ongoing 37th World Travel Market (WTM) in the UK to promote the Maldivian tourism industry. The Maldives stall at the ExCel in London was officially opened by attorney […]
The evening call to prayer settles across Maafushi, marking the end of a long day for tourists enjoying the trademark sun, sand and sea of the Maldives – once an exclusive experience but now available on a shoestring. Maafushi, hailed by the World Bank for its inclusive wealth creation, is a kaleidoscope in the falling sun. […]
On a Thursday evening, fishermen from the local market push buckets of fish guts to the low-lying seawall north-west of the capital, tipping the remains into the sea. Around a dozen whiptail stingrays, lured by the easy meal, scamper to the surface of the ocean for the feast. Ming Yang Hi and his wife follow […]
The number ’45’ written across the ocean surrounding Kurumba Maldives using speedboats, to mark the resort’s 45th anniversary on October 3, 2017. PHOTO / KURUMBA MALDIVES The first tourist resort opened in the Maldives, Kurumba Maldives, celebrated its 45th anniversary on Tuesday. Whilst this was an impressive feat on its own, an aerial photograph that […]
The original Dhivehi article was published on Avas.mv website on 22nd September 2017. The following is a loose translation: Maldives’ underwater beauty is something of a marvel even amongst the world. Unlike in the past, now Maldivian divers are more interested in taking up a diving career; as diving also generates a good income. Accomplished […]
Kanuhura Maldives resort in Lhaviyani atoll: the resort has been relaunched after a USD 42 million revamp. Maldives saw an eight per cent increase in tourist arrivals in August, statistics published by the Ministry of Tourism have revealed. According to the ministry, 121,310 tourists arrived in the Maldives last month, whilst 892,025 tourists have visited […]
President Yameen at the official opening ceremony of Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort in Gaafu Alif atoll. PHOTO/PRESIDENT’S OFFICE President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom proclaimed on Wednesday that it is a great aspiration of his administration to unveil 50 tourist resorts before the end of this presidential term. In his address to mark this year’s World […]