(CNN) – In most destinations, a million short tourists in the previous year would have been a major concern, as a result of a natural disaster. But that was before 2020, and before coronavirus pandemic changed the way we travel forever.
The Maldives, an island island in the Indian Ocean that equates to romance, typically sees 1.7 million visitors each year. In 2020, there were about 500,000. And despite the dramatic decline, it marks one of the most successful tourism stories among the pandemic.
The geography of the country is also well suited for coronavirus protocols. Many hotels and resorts are on their own private islands – there are over a mile to choose from, even before human islands enter the equation – leaving a remote and social distance. extremely easy.
Countries around Asia and the Minch have been more cautious about reopening than those in Europe and North America, meaning tourists in the region had few options for places to go.
Understandably, there were a few bumps. The Maldives opened unconditionally in July, just to walk back in September by asking all passengers to show confirmation of a Covid-19 negative test upon arrival.
The doors of the One & Only Reethi Rah (pictured) were open for most of 2020.
By permission of one & only
Thoyyib Mohamed is managing director of Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation, the country’s national tourism authority.
It says the country received 555,494 visitors in 2020, surpassing the revised reach forecast of 500,000 arriving by the end of 2020.
“Our biggest advantage is the unique geographical features of the Maldives,” he says, adding that the implementation of strict hygiene protocols combined with the ease of dispersal of people on different islands has mixed strong for travelers who wanted to get away from it.
“We promoted the destination as a safe haven for tourists.”
Infrastructure also played a part. Many cruise ships move ships or planes into their packages, meaning that visitors who have arrived in the country can get to their final destinations without having to do much – if any. there – other tourists.
Jan Tibaldi, general manager of the One & Only Reethi Rah, tells CNN Travel that although they did not have many more visitors in 2020 than they did in 2019, there was a significant increase in the number of visitors that spends there.
“Our guests travel so often, but for a longer time and with more purpose,” she said.
In direct response to the time visitors spent in the Maldives and the fact that most went digital only for work and school, the resort developed a special package for guests. stay for a month. The 28-day offer includes food, high-speed internet, wellness activities and kids club use and is priced from $ 42,600 for a family of four.
However, there is no such thing as a completely optimistic travel story when it comes to navigating the new world under Covid.
Many Maldivians working in hospitality found themselves effectively “stretched out in paradise,” forced to stay at the resorts where they worked to look after just a handful of guests.
However, the figures alone show that although they opened up to the Maldives they managed to control the pandemic.
In February 2021, the country has confirmed 17,828 cases and only 58 deaths.