The Traveller's Magazine
The former president of the popular holiday spot, the Maldives, warns that this paradise escape could become alcohol-free and see all spas banned which could have a drastic effect on the country’s attraction to foreign visitors.
Is this the future of tourism in the Maldives?
The first-ever democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed, who was ousted in February of this year, said that the influence of Islamists in the country’s current coalition government could have a very big impact on how tourists enjoy their time while on holidays in the Maldives. Luxurious spas, same-sex beaches, even alcohol could be banned from the Maldives’ holiday resorts.
With no Sex on the beach to drink, what’s a holidaymaker to do?
The Maldives have long been a favourite destination among European travellers, particularly the French. But with bans of this kind, you can imagine the effect it will have on when travellers make their decision where to spend their next holiday. We may even see visitors being prosecuted for kissing in public like in some other Middle-Eastern countries.
Public singing, dancing and spas have already been banned from the capital city of Malé. When the Maldives relies on tourism to bring in a third of its gross domestic product, would banning alcohol and spas in the country’s tourist resorts really be a good idea?
Heading to the Maldives?
There are no travel restrictions for the Maldives coming from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Although there have been recent clashes and protests in Malé so if visiting the capital island, stay alert and exercise caution in large gatherings of people.
Also, there is no British consulate or embassy in the Maldives so any problems are dealt with through the Sri Lankan High Commission. While most British holidaymakers enjoy a trouble-free visit to these gorgeous islands, petty theft can happen and passports do get stolen so keep your valuables and travel documents safely secured.
Nasheed is a big liar. No one is going to transform the resort islands to Non-alcohol-serving resort. It’s his mere speculations to attain power. The world cannot be fooled.
When people demanded to to raid massage parlors in the Capital City, which are nests of prostitutes, nasheed made his decision the otherway; he ordered police to close all SPAs in the Resorts. Nasheed is a coward, who has nothing but a bunch of lies.