Inside the Oldest Resort in the Maldives
Wednesday 27th of May 2020
Inside the Oldest Resort in the Maldives
48 years ago in 1972, the opening of Kurumba Maldives had revealed the unknown beauty of the Maldives to the world. It had created countless opportunities for the economy and currently, tourism industry has turned out to be the largest industry.
At the location where the Velana International Airport is now, there was only a small airstrip built by volunteers, with no regular flights. “We had nothing in the Maldives then, nothing. No Banks, no airport, no telephones only ham radio or Morse code contact with Colombo. Even the UNDP experts said that tourism would never succeed because there were no facilities, no infrastructure," said Mohamed Umar Maniku, Universal Enterprises’ Chairman.
The story began with a chance meeting in Colombo between George Corbin, an Italian travel agent, and Ahmed Naseem, then a junior with the Maldives Embassy who later became Foreign Minister. Corbin brought the Maldives’ first tourists, mainly journalists and photographers, in February 1972. He promised to bring more tourists if accommodation was arranged. Hence, Kurumba was born.
MU Manik and Hussain Afeef, inspired by their enthusiasm, linked up with the leaseholder of Vihamanaafushi, then an uninhabited island coconut plantation. They chose the island for its proximity to the airstrip and the capital. They managed to build 30 rooms in blocks of three, using coral stone for walls, coconut timber, and palm thatch for roofs. Each room had a brackish water shower and toilet, basic furniture, and access to the beach. Meals were taken in a canteen or as barbecues on the beach.
When we look at the resort now, we see an island resort that offers more than just sun, sand and sea. A resort full of surprises, fun activities, lively entertainment and smiling faces that are sure to give your Maldives holiday so much more. With variety of entertainment, facilities, activities and social events, Kurumba serves couples, honeymooners, friends, families and small groups with a smile and splash of Maldivian charisma.