Negative Impacts:
- Around 80% of tourism income leaves the islands and doesn’t actually go back into the Maldivian economy. According to a recent report from World Data Atlas in 2019, tourism makes up approximately two-thirds of the Maldivians annual GDP (66%). In other words, Maldives uses its human and nature resources to earn money from tourism industry, however, local residents and government don’t generally benefit from it. With a country that is dependent on international visits and famous for luxury experiences, it is a considerably negative impact to lose out the funds coming from travel and tourism since this sector occupied more than half of national GDP.
- Most tourist income has been going to resort islands. The “resort” islands and the “local” islands differ because the resort islands are primarily operating for tourists with the idea being that each resort island has its own resort and atmosphere of sorts. As mentioned in the introduction, only 100 islands are designated for tourists and 200 of them are inhabited by the locals. The majority of tourist resorts are owned or operated by foreigners. In addition to the loss of tourism income outside of the country, the money left is used for the purpose of tourism operating, which meant that local residents don’t benefit from tourists using their national landscapes and human resources.
- Tourist rubbish. Though Maldives has been very careful in expanding their tourism as well as implemented tourism policies and planning to minimize the impacts of tourism activities on the environment, however, it is undeniable that environmental issues do exist on these islands. Tourist rubbish is an obvious example. It is not only Maldives’s issue but many other countries, however, for an island nation like Maldives, it is reaching its limit. In the 90’s, the government approved to make Thilafushi – one of Maldives’s island as rubbish island (The Republic of Maldives, n.d). Rubbish from 200 tourist resorts gets shipped to Thilafushi every day. The question here is, with the flow of millions of visitors every year, how long Thilafushi can take more rubbish?
- One of the reasons for the Maldives having secluded island resorts is because, as a large portion of the Maldivian population is Muslim, the practices of tourists not of that religion can be offensive (Gaia Discovery, 2019). In addition, Henley (2020) also stated that visitors must follow the Islamic rules of conservative dress in designated beaches and bikinis are unexcepted in these areas. This subject can be sensitive to educate in a world-wide luxury destination like Maldives where people from various backgrounds perceive things differently and their ultimate goals when visiting Maldives is to completely relax and enjoy themselves.
- The large gap in welfare. Pile (2016) claimed that the poverty does exist in Maldives and the poor is usually less beneficial from the luxury tourism of this country than the rich. Some local residents work their whole life to afford a home but it is impossible to buy land in their home island (Henley, 2020). On the other hand, some others may own an island and several yachts and earn profits from operating luxurious tourist experiences (Maldives, n.d). The longer this issue continues, the bigger gap of inequality in wealth gets and at one point, it could be impossible for the Government to handle.
Positive Impacts:
- Some resorts are giving back to the islands through research and conservation projects. An example of this is the sustainability work that has been taking place on Kuramathi Island Resort, as discussed by Asma Rasheed, director of Business Development.
- “Local” islands are becoming more popular to tourists. Since Ministry of Tourism has focused on promoting culture and art in Maldives by featuring local life and authenticity of people in this country, local islands welcome visitors who come to experience the Maldivian life. It also helps to share the flow of travellers to the tourist islands in Maldives. There is a growing opportunity to share Maldivian culture and thereby, helping to preserve it. Tourists coming to the Maldives are becoming more interested in going beyond the island resorts and actually getting to know the people and cultural practices more. Observing this, certain tour operators are catering to these tourists by arranging for tours that bring a person closer to the homes and lives of locals (Gaia Discovery, 2019).
- Tourist infrastructure such as restaurants and shops are providing more work for locals as well as more meeting places. The newest Master Tourism Plan by Ministry of Tourism in Maldives also stated to improve job opportunities for the local, especially women in the tourism industry. The fast growth of tourism in Maldives promises to secure jobs for many more local residents.
- There are often discounts for locals to scuba dive and participate in other water sports. As the Mistry of Tourism realized the small number of domestic travels due to high price and limited vacancies, this is a great initiative to boost domestic visitation. In addition, it can be a good implementation post Covid-19 since tourism in Maldives is totally dependent on international travel so when border closure was in place, no domestic tourism activities were happening.
- Tourism organizations consistently make efforts to protect the environment. Ministry of Tourism works hard on tourism policies and planning to minimize the environmental impacts such as encouraging tourists to bring back non-biodegradable waste, putting up more signs and informing visitors about protecting coral reefs while experiencing marine world (The environment, n.d)
References
Asma Rasheed on Sustainability at Kuramathi Island Resort, Maldives. (2017). Sustainability Leaders Project. Retrieved from https://sustainability-leaders.com/interview-asma-rasheed-kuramathi-island-maldives/
Gaia Discovery. (2019). Culture vs Tourism : The Maldives Lesson. Gaia Discovery. Retrieved from https://www.gaiadiscovery.com/latest-places/maldives-cultural-balance
Henley, K. (2020). 15 Strict Rules Expats Have To Follow To Work In The Maldives. The Travel. Retrieved from https://www.thetravel.com/strict-rules-expats-work-in-the-maldives/
Maldives: Tourism. (n.d). Geoleikeikung. Retrieved from https://year11geoleileikung.weebly.com/index.html
Owen, C. (n.d). Keeping Things Local On The Maldives. Responsible Travel. Retrieved from https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/maldives/travel-guide/keeping-things-local-on-the-maldives
Pile, T. (2016). The good, bad and ugly sides of the Maldives. Post Magazines. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/1995037/good-bad-and-ugly-sides-maldives
The environment. (n.d). Visit Maldives. Retrieved from https://visitmaldives.com/en/maldives/environment
The Republic of Maldives. (n.d). Impacts of the Tourism Industry on the Environment. The Republic of Maldives. Retrieved from https://yr11geoanita.weebly.com/environment.html
World Data Atlas. (n.d). Maldives – Contribution of travel and tourism to GDP as a share of GDP. Knoema. Retrieved from https://knoema.com/atlas/Maldives/topics/Tourism/Travel-and-Tourism-Total-Contribution-to-GDP/Contribution-of-travel-and-tourism-to-GDP-percent-of-GDP