The Journey of Tourism in Maldives- Pioneers in the Industry
Monday 22nd of June 2020
The Journey of Tourism in Maldives- Pioneers in the Industry
A hidden paradise from the rest of the world was revealed with the opening of 60 tourist beds in two resort islands in 1972. It was the Kurumba Maldives that first introduced tourism into the country, followed by Bandos Island Resort. Now, the country has over 150 resorts catering to a wide variety of markets and tourism has become the most important economic industry of the country.
During those times, there were only two airstrips in the country. One was on Hulhule Island (the present Velana International Airport), built by local volunteers, and one on Gan Island in Addu Atoll built by the British air force, but there were no regular flights. Rainwater and underground water of islands were used. Sewage was discharged into aquifer using soak pits and solid waste was either dumped to the sea, buried or burnt using open fires. Electricity was generated using diesel power and it was available at certain times.
We look at the tourism industry now and how far it has come. The island nation is one of the most popular destinations in the world and its natural beauty is incomparable. But behind this development and success were very important people and without their dedication, tourism would not be the same in Maldives.
Ahmed Naseem, Minister at President’s Office
It all began with a meeting in Colombo between George Corbin, an Italian travel agent and Ahmed ‘Kerafa’ Naseem, then a staff member in the Maldivian embassy in Sri Lanka who later became Foreign Minister of the Maldives. After the first tourists were brought to Maldives, Corbin told Naseem, Maniku and Afeef that he would bring more if accommodation was arranged. Naseem and Umar Manik established the first travel agency of the country and with Afeef, they were the figures behind the Kurumba Village in Vihamanafushi. Naseem was awarded the lifetime achievement award in tourism at the MATATO Maldives Travel Award 2019.
Mohamed Umaru Maniku, Executive Director of Universal Enterprises
Maniku is also known as the man who built paradise. In 1960, United Nations had warned that the Maldives did not yet have the required infrastructure to support the business and islands are not suitable for tourism. Regardless, then an agricultural officer, Maniku spent his time after work to develop Vihamanaafushi island to be the first resort in the Maldives. He and his friends built 30 rooms in blocks of three, using coral stone for walls, coconut timber, and palm thatch for roofs, initially with financial help from Corbin. Today, Maniku’s companies are some of the biggest employers in the country.
Hussain Afeef, Chairman at Crown Company
Mr. Hussain Afeef (Champa) is the ingenuous entrepreneur, responsible for both the instigation and expansion of several key industries in the Maldives. When the first group of tourists arrived to Maldives in 1972, Hussain Afeef was one of those who looked after them and had seen the true potential of tourism in Maldives. He became the General Manager of the Kurumba resort and the lessor of Meerufenfushi Resort early eighties, and with the support of his family, he has invested in numerous companies and resorts at home and abroad to date.