Looking ahead to 2022, one thing seems clear: Travel is back on the cards. With COVID restrictions easing and vaccination rates rising, many are no doubt already dreaming of the coming months, seeking to satiate two years worth of...
Looking ahead to 2022, one thing seems clear: Travel is back on the cards. With COVID restrictions easing and vaccination rates rising, many are no doubt already dreaming of the coming months, seeking to satiate two years worth of repressed wanderlust, topped with a hefty dose of emotional recovery.
Just for a moment, break away from reality and imagine walking on a pristine stretch of white sand, where you can view spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Picture gradient azure waters as far as the eye can see. Think of verdant foliage enveloping breathtaking landscapes of all shapes and sizes. Indulge in the prospect of gastronomic pleasure as balmy tropical air wraps around you. With 1,192 coral islands, the warmest people on Earth and a multitude of activities for every sort of traveler, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Maldives are at the top of many people’s list of places to visit once the pandemic is over.
To help make your decision easier, I have compiled 10 reasons why you should visit the Maldives in 2022.
The Maldives has always been a favorite vacation spot for adventurous travelers for its beautiful beaches and crystal blue waters, and is now one of the top destinations for rejuvenating wellness journeys. To guide our visitors towards a more balanced and authentic life – from one-on-one consultations, through daily yoga and meditation classes, breath-work sessions, bespoke treatments, holistic healing, alongside wholesome meals and essential oil making workshops to create remedies to take home from the ultimate wellbeing-focused holiday. From private decks of guest villas, through stand-alone yoga pavilions and floating yoga’s, enhanced by uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean – we got you covered.
If you’re still debating which resort to pop the question, Four Seasons will exceed your wildest proposal experience! When you have found the one, only one place will do, and for marriage proposals that end with a yes, Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru can help set the stage at one of their many instagram-worthy water villa’s with a romantic and ultra-luxe ‘pool of rose’ proposals.
The story of Maldives is one of transformation, innovation, and resilience. 50 years ago, no one could have imagined that our miniscule islands scattered across the Indian ocean would transform itself into a destination that captures the imaginations and dreams of millions across the globe. It began in the year 1972 with the opening of Kurumba Village, the country’s first resort. Entrepreneurial young Maldivians with a dream were able to kickstart the Maldivian tourism industry with barely no resources and nor infrastructure. A team from the UNDP concluded that tourism could never succeed in the Maldives as there were barely any facilities and infrastructure. Yet against all odds, the Maldives did it.
Today, we anticipate for 2022, to celebrate 50 years since the inception of the tourism industry. Several promotional and celebratory campaigns have been initiated with more to follow in the upcoming year. The government projects 1.5 to 1.8 million tourist arrivals for next year.
For the Ladies and Gentlemen at Ritz Carlton, serving their guests is all about creating unforgettable and glamorous experiences. By reviving legendary traditions, immersed into the history and heritage of its destination, where commitment to impeccable service meets innovation and timeless luxury.
The drum and fire ritual at Eau Bar is the signature ceremony of the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. The soul-stirring performance begins early sunset, with a troop of boduberu drummers walking the edge of a circular infinity pool, torch lighting a fire ring backed by a fading horizon.
Maldives’ vibrant local shopping scene encompasses everything from artisans making traditional handicrafts to young makers shaking up contemporary fashion and design. Whether you’re looking for a tote bag, a hand-woven hammock, or a cute top and handmade jewelry, the meandering shopping avenue at Marina @ CROSSROADS creates a remarkable lifestyle destination bursting the ultimate shopping experience. From unique and intriguing, local and international collection of exclusive brands, incorporating authentic island design and beautiful ambiance. Indulge in an exciting retail adventure at some of the country’s favorite shopping outlets, featuring extraordinary fashion-forward clothing, accessories, beauty products, souvenirs and luxury items.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maldives closed its borders in late March 2020 and re-opened its borders to international visitors on July 15, 2020. And the archipelago is looking even more appealing now after a recent nationwide campaign resulted in a whopping 93 per cent of the resort employees and 79 per cent of the eligible Maldivian population had received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine – inoculated in just over eight months.
This stunning achievement is the centerpiece of an efficient pandemic response by the Government of Maldives for initiating the landmark “Covid-19 Dhifaau” campaign on 1 February 2021 to vaccinate the entire population against COVID-19. Maldives is on the cusp of and becoming the first 100% fully vaccinated tourist industry in the world.
The Maldives consistently wins awards for its majestic beaches, dive tourism, and more at the World Travel Awards 2021. Maldives was honored as Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination; Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination; Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board in addition to Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, voted by travel and tourism professionals and consumers worldwide.
The Maldives was also crowned as the World’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards 2020, the coveted awards are the ultimate Oscars of the travel and tourist industry accolade and recognize each winner’s commitment to excellence.
There’s something for everyone: A blissful sunshine adventure in a spectacular Indian Ocean setting awaits at Siyam World, an awe-inspiring all-inclusive getaway in Noonu Atoll. The resort opened its doors for guests in late October debuting Indian Ocean’s biggest floating water park, which spells out the name of the resort offering unlimited free access for guests aged 6yrs and above with an enormous carrying capacity. The water park promises endless aquatic escapades. Linked by banked curves and treacherous bridges, the slippery circuit of challenging obstacles includes halfpipes, slides, a climbing tower and a 3.2-metre springboard – not to mention ‘Flip’, the first free-floating human catapult on the water.
When the sun sets over the far southern horizon, cap off your day for a romantic sunset cruise on board a traditional dhoni or luxury yacht in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Relax and stretch out on the deck as sorbet-colored rays reflect off the water, and winds whip tresses all around with beachy gusto. Maldives boasts a plethora of liveaboards offering exquisite locations for celebrations. Spend the night onboard and be rocked to sleep by the gentle lull of the waves. If you are lucky, you may be rewarded with a dolphin sighting during the cruise as sunset tends to be a good time for dolphin-spotting.
The UN Climate Change Conferences are not a new phenomenon. They have been held for the past three decades, yet Maldives has still not received adequate attention along with many other vulnerable countries.
Rising ocean temperatures have accelerated the overall coral bleaching in the Maldives. Sea anemones contains symbiotic single-celled algae within their tissues that provide the coral with up to 90% of its energy. Once stressed, the coral expels these algae, providing shelter, and gives coral reefs their colors. Hundreds of resorts across the Maldives already has its own coral protection and regeneration programmes, aimed at providing a safe environment in which life on the reef can thrive. These programmes are headed by in-house conservationists, marine biologists and ecologists whose mission is to reduce threats and promote sustainable management of reef ecosystems. Visitors at most of the resorts are welcomed to relaunch coral regeneration projects.