17 Surprising Facts About the Maldives You Won’t Hear Anywhere Else

The Maldives is one of the most popular vacation spots, known for its clear blue waters, beautiful beaches, and luxury resorts. Tourists flock to the Maldives every year for vacations, honeymoons, and even weddings, drawn to its picture-perfect beauty. But there’s another side to this tropical paradise that many don’t know about. Here are some surprising facts about the Maldives that might surprise you.

Note: The content of this article does not reflect the writer’s personal beliefs.

Lack of food resources

Most tourists rave about the delicious food they eat in the Maldives, but the country doesn’t produce much food and sources it internationally. Most of the imported fresh food skips the locals and is given to tourists, potentially leading to starvation in underdeveloped areas. This makes it even more important to understand the challenges locals face while you enjoy the luxuries.

Climate change

Like the rest of the world, the country is increasingly facing the wrath of climate change, which is causing hot temperatures and extremely humid weather. Climate change is also impacting coral reefs and popular dive sites that tourists visit the country for. The beauty of the Maldives is at risk, making sustainable tourism more critical than ever.

Risk of sinking

Climate change is raising the sea levels, which puts the Maldives at risk. The country is the lowest-lying in the world, so it is increasingly submerging at an alarming rate and might not even survive in a few decades. Therefore, if Maldives is on your bucket list, now is the right time to visit.

Economic divide

Most tourists are charged a significant tax with every purchase at every destination, but little do they know this income hardly makes it to the deserving, especially in the Maldives. Officials consume most tourist taxes, leading to a socioeconomic divide and leaving many in distressed living conditions.

Waste management

The tourist crowd tests the country’s poor waste infrastructure, which makes it difficult to dispose of garbage and sewage properly. Most overpopulated areas struggle with a heavy stench and heaps of waste. Here, tourists should also be mindful of the country’s struggles and step up to make it better where they can.

Endangerment of marine life

Environmental concerns and excessive tourism are severely harming the Maldives’ marine life and have even put some at risk of extinction. Despite putting on a pretty face, Maldivian authorities aren’t always keen on taking these threats seriously, mainly because of a lack of funds.

Fly-tipping

Most waste in Maldives is redirected to parts of the country where tourists don’t visit at all. At one point, the Maldivian island Thilafushi was even dubbed the Rubbish island because of excessive fly-tipped waste. This is seriously alarming and also sad, considering most of the waste come from the touristy crowds.

Limited Accessibility

If you have mobility issues, the Maldives can be tricky to get around. Many islands have sandy paths, water jetties, and infrastructure that are not suitable for travelers with disabilities. While some villas cater to the needs of people with disabilities, it’s still best to research thoroughly and plan ahead to ensure a smooth trip.

Strict rules

Although Maldives openly welcomes tourists, it has a lot of rules and regulations in place. Because of the country’s religion, it prohibits alcohol and pork, so tourists may get in serious trouble if they step a toe out of line on local islands vs resort islands. Understanding and respecting these cultural rules is vital to a hassle-free visit.

Security concerns

Although generally considered safe, parts of Maldives are vulnerable to social and political upheavals. The country strictly forbids same-sex relationships and has a gender-based violence issue, which typically escapes tourists’ eyes. Travelers should stay informed about local laws and social issues to ensure a respectful and safe trip.

Drug abuse

Among other issues, drug abuse is prevalent in the country, especially in the capital city, Male, where you may bump into drug addicts while walking around the city. Tourists who visit the paradisical islands of Maldives remain unaware of the serious drug issues that the country is facing.

Environmental concerns

Excessive tourism and the government’s lack of concern have significantly contributed to environmental damage in the Maldives. Large-scale development projects regularly harm the environment and impact the coral reefs, but most tourists are unaware. Choosing eco-friendly resorts and activities can help protect this fragile ecosystem.

Government’s spending

Since the country’s major budget portion is spent on climate adaptation efforts, such as building sea walls to protect reefs, it strains the country’s financial resources. On top of that, the tourists leaving the trash behind and not taking care of nature puts an extra burden on locals who rely on them for their sustenance.

Strict Local Culture

Tourist resorts often exist in a bubble, separated from local islands where strict Islamic laws apply, and tourists rarely experience authentic local culture. It’s sad that visitors don’t get to witness the local traditions that are followed in the Maldives, which are not prominent in the media.

Concerns Regarding Human Rights

Maldives is perceived as an ideal tourist destination that is on every traveler’s bucket list. Not many know what’s happening outside of tourism in the country. The Maldives has faced criticism for human rights issues, including restrictions on freedom of speech and blocking civil protests.

Loss Of Traditional Culture

The influx of tourists and rapid development are slowly eroding the traditional Maldivian way of life. Many local customs and practices are being overshadowed by the demands of the tourism industry. The unique charm and heritage that once defined the islands are slowly being replaced, leaving a gap in the true Maldivian experience.

Hoping For A Better Future

Despite facing threats like rising sea levels and an economy overly dependent on tourism, locals are holding onto hope for a brighter future. They’re putting their faith in sustainability projects and better education to turn things around. But the stark contrast between the glamourized tourist spots and the everyday struggles of the locals rarely gets any spotlight, leaving the real story untold.

More For You

If you want to fully enjoy every destination and experience, don’t be a tourist; instead, be a traveler. Here are some ways to transform into a traveler and make unforgettable memories.

This article was inspired by Euronews, SCMP, and Unheard and first appeared on Rbitaliablog.