Maldives Beyond the Clichés: Reefs to Save and Local Communities

(by Mirco Paganelli)

The Maldives isn't just a postcard image of pristine sand and overwater villas. This Indian Ocean archipelago is one of the most fragile places on the planet and today tells a different story: that of a tourism that seeks to combine hospitality and sustainability. In the South Nilandhe Atoll, on the island of Meedhuffushi, the Vilu Reef resort—the first of the Maldivian Sun Siyam group, founded in 1990—retains an intimate atmosphere. Here, next to the beachfront rooms, an 'athireege' has been reconstructed, the traditional hut made of wood and coconut leaves where local families lived until the 1960s. "Creativity is needed in a workplace; I always encourage new ideas, whether in the kitchen or in service," explains manager Thoha Yoosuf. Alongside him are young people like Ashrof, a bartender originally from Sri Lanka who sees the island as a springboard into the tourism industry: "Opportunities come quickly in the Maldives, my goal is to become an island manager." The sea is the strong point. The coral reef is just a few meters from shore compared to other islands where you need a boat to reach it; all it takes is a mask and a few strokes to find yourself among hundreds of tropical fish, sea turtles, and harmless blacktip sharks. Swimming among the reef's branches and its coral is like flying over the archaeology of a vanished civilization. The bleached patches here and there across the Maldivian archipelago are just one of the effects of global warming. "The 'bleaching' phenomenon occurs when the sea warms, but it doesn't mean the coral is dead: they remain alive and we can reinvigorate them," emphasizes marine biologist Mariyam Thuhufa of the Siyam World resort (in the northern Maldives), where guests can participate in transplanting coral fragments onto metal structures placed on the seabed. Environmental sustainability is a central theme for the group, which has developed the Sun Siyam Cares program, a list of practices for energy saving and waste recycling. "We don't want to greenwash," assures Ausy Waseem, manager of the World, "that's why we're taking the time to choose the ideal renewable energy solution. We're working on a solar panel project and we're not ruling out wind power." The choice is accompanied by a social focus: "In each atoll, we create jobs for local communities and purchase food from neighboring islands," explains Sara Siyam, the group's marketing director and daughter of founder Ahmed Siyam Mohamed. "We wanted to be a game-changer in the tourism industry," he says. "Many were skeptical, but I think we proved otherwise." Each island offers a different facet. At Iru Fushi, the spa directed by Dr. Rahul Krishnan blends Eastern and Western traditions. "After Covid, guests showed a need for greater interaction, so we invested in empathy," explains the Ayurvedic physician. At Iru Veli, coconut workshops illustrate the profound connection between Maldivian culture and nature. Here, a hydroponic garden supplies the kitchen. And at Siyam World, a ranch with Indian-bred horses has even been established, a unique feature for the archipelago. The staff at these facilities relies heavily on immigrants, especially from India and Sri Lanka, but an increasing number of Malvians are taking on leadership roles. "It's important that local staff are also prominent at managerial levels," emphasizes Pasan Wijewardana, sales and marketing director. "And more women than in the past are taking on management roles." The Maldives remain a natural paradise, but the challenge is to look at them with different eyes. Conscious tourism can become an opportunity for cultural discovery and support for local communities, remembering that behind this breathtaking beauty lies the daily struggle against rising sea levels and climate change.