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Resorts
in the Maldives woo tourists with promises of 'the last
paradise on earth', and if your idea of paradise is
a pristine tropical island with swaying palm trees,
pure white beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons,
then the Maldives will not disappoint. It's also a major
destination for scuba divers, who come for the fabulous
coral reefs and the wealth of marine life. But it's
not a place for low budget backpackers or amateur anthropologists
who want to travel independently and live as the locals
do.
Full
country name:
Republic of Maldives
Area: 298 sq km
(115 sq mi)
Population: 301,475
Capital city: Malé
(pop. 62,973)
People: Sinhalese,
Dravidian, Arab, African
Language: Maldivian
Divehi
Religion: Sunni
Muslim
Government: Republic
President: Maumoon
Abdul Gayoom
Tourism
in the Maldives is carefully managed. The country's
tourism master plan identifies both the underwater environment
and 'the Robinson Crusoe factor' as major attractions,
but these are not seen as compatible with large-scale,
low budget, mass tourism. The lack of local resources
makes it necessary to import virtually everything a
visitor needs, from furniture to fresh vegetables, so
the Maldives cannot really compete on price. The strategy
has been to develop a limited number of quality resorts,
each on its own uninhabited island, free from traffic,
crime and crass commercialism.
The
Maldivian tourism strategy also aims to minimise the
adverse effects of tourism on traditional Muslim communities.
Tourists can make short guided visits to local fishing
villages, but must then return to their resort. Most
are satisfied with this glimpse of local life and culture,
but to stay longer or to travel to atolls outside the
tourist zone requires a good reason, a special permit,
and a local person to sponsor the visitor. Most tourists
come to understand the restrictions after a short visit
to an accessible island - it is difficult to imagine
how isolated Maldivian communities would benefit from
extended stays by an uncontrolled number of tourists.
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