Today, The Maldives is universally known and reputed luxury holiday destination. It is a brand that stays in the hearts and minds of everyone who is anyone planning a holiday or a trip abroad.
What we have gained over the years is the result of proper planning and maintaining a sustainable tourism product.
This year we are celebrating the golden jubilee of our tourism industry. Years ago, we started our journey as an infant trying to learn to walk a long road. And this journey began from home-stay that was not so organized, but with that genuine and typical Maldivian hospitality and smile. A smile that never fades away from the memories of those guests who enjoyed our local home-stays.
And years passed by, the demands grew and the influx of travelers also increased. Ultimately the industry needed to find ways to cater the demands of growing numbers and thus beds increased, different categories of resorts, hotels, city hotels, island hotels(guest-houses)came into operation.
Now the question remains, are we doing our best to maintain all our tourism products in a co-existence environment and keep our focus on the brand Maldives?
If so, how do we define luxury? Can we redefine our product and extend our guests that affordable luxury of the local islands through, scarcity, rarity, privacy and safety?