Maldives president vows an to end resort “segregation” amidst tourism developments: Forbes

As the Maldives looks to move away from more established tourism markets towards emerging economic powers like China to drive revenue growth, President Mohamed Nasheed has claimed his government are pursueing significant changes in how the nation aims to appeals to visitors by focusing on more attractions and greater access to the country beyond its island resorts.

Throughout 2011, the growing importance of targeting Asian markets like China and India has been highlighted by tourism heads both inside and out of government as a significant challenge facing the Maldives' tourism industry as it moves to offer more mid-market options in the country.

Speaking to the Forbes news agency this week, President Nasheed claimed that although Chinese visitor numbers presently appeared to show a bright future for the country's tourism industry – itself the leading national generator of revenue – new approaches were vital to sustain growth.

“We've segregated ourselves in these little islands for too long.

The tourists don't get to see the real Maldives and Maldivian

culture. In the past there was a desire to segregate the Maldives

from certain influences, but it also kept us from ideas and

knowledge.”

President Mohamed Nasheed

One such example was market diversification, particularly by moving away from the long-standing practice of rigidly segregating island resorts from everyday Maldivian society.  Instead the president said a focus was needed on encouraging more interest in the culture and hospitality of local people and business.

The country, with a constitution and legal system based around the tenets of Islam, while allowing the sale of outlawed products like alcohol and pork on designated “uninhabited” resort islands, requires guests staying in areas like the capital of Male' to respect local laws in terms of dress and what they consume. In short, bikinis and booze – a staple of desert-island decadence for some who flock to the Indian Ocean destination – are not permitted in and around local beaches and reefs.

No formal studies have been drawn up on the exact impact, if any, these cultural practices have had on the development of more independent travel in the Maldives. Yet outside of the country's traditional resort destinations, the potentially lucrative benefits of tourism generally alludes hundreds of inhabited islands across the Maldives.

“We've segregated ourselves in these little islands for too long. The tourists don't get to see the real Maldives and Maldivian culture. In the past there was a desire to segregate the Maldives from certain influences, but it also kept us from ideas and knowledge,” the president said. “Maldivians are Muslims but modern. The time has come to end the segregation from the outside world.”

Nasheed added that in working to court interest from major up and coming travel markets, a greater national understanding of foreign cultures like those of China was vital to keep interest strong in the Maldives.

“We have to learn about Chinese culture. There is so much to learn. China is on the rise, and the Chinese people are seeking where they want to go in the world,” he said. “If we're not the place, we will lose out, and they will move on. But so far we are successful, and the future is bright.”

Aside from learning and adapting to the individual cultures of its guests, providing a greater number of attractions for visitors that do not disrupt the environment and cultural practices of the Maldives was highlighted by the president as a vital strategy for trying to ensure future growth.

“Now we want to expand the market. We need to add more attractions, ways for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the Maldives without disrupting the environment,” he said.

In considering these ambitions, Nasheed told Forbes that negotiations with the Chinese company, Chengdu Century City for the development of islands with a wider array of hotels, retail outlets and attractions were being considered in terms of “all the impacts” it may have on the country.

“I'm told, if we know what we want, then it's easier to do something of this scale, to get everything right. What we want is very clear. We don't want to disrupt our balance. Protecting what we have is the most important thing to us,” he said. “We aren't desperate for investment. We don't have to be hasty.”