Return to The Maldives
Posted on 12 July 2009 with no comments from readers
The Maldives can not claim to be entirely unaffected by the global credit crisis but the 11 per cent official fall in tourist numbers appeared corroborated by a full Emirates 777-300 in both directions from Dubai over the weekend.
This unique collection of islands on a volcanic atoll in the Indian Ocean is still clearly very popular with tourists despite the fact that this is not a cheap place to holiday.
Air taxis
The logistics of moving thousands of tourists across several thousand square miles by air taxi, and keeping the same victualed to world-class standards is impressive, but it is also very expensive.
How much does it cost to enjoy a glass of champagne this far away from France? Well, quite a lot, and the champagne has clearly made quite a journey from its native land to a relatively small island.
Is it all worth it? Those who come for the Robinson Crusoe experience must think so. The weather is perfect, apart from a few passing storms at this time of year. The environment is pristine with calm sea sheltered by the natural coral atolls, and great for swimming and snorkeling.
The first tourists arrived in 1972 in a small party from Italy, and in the 70s Europeans used to enjoy spearing their own fish to barbecue. It has grown into a serious business since then, and the per capita income of the Moldavians is the highest in South Asia.
Trouble in paradise
Recently there has been some unaccustomed industrial unrest among the native workers on the islands that has threatened to disturb this happy paradise, where the hospitality of the islanders was legendary among ancient mariners long before the tourists came.
Sharing out the pie is always an issue where money is concerned, and legitimate aspirations for a better life have to be balanced against what the already pricey room rates will stand. The islands employ a great many staff and to pay them at Western levels would make the whole enterprise uneconomic.
Rising sea levels is another concern, but it is difficult to worry about terribly much staying on The Maldives and that is perhaps why so many are still making the journey to escape the financial crisis.
