RIYADH: The Maldives’ tourism model is built on a delicate balance between economic growth and environmental preservation, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim said in an interview ahead of the UN’s Tourism 2025 event.
“In the Maldives, we have luxury resorts — one resort, one island — which means that tourists live on a separate island,” Ibrahim said. “Most of the tourism resorts are like deserted islands, so that’s where we stand out from other countries.”
Ibrahim explained that sustainability is a legal requirement at every stage of development. Before any resort construction begins, developers must carry out a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment to identify and mitigate potential damage to surrounding ecosystems.
“When one builds a resort, they first have to do an Environmental Impact Assessment to make sure that when they build the resort, there is minimal environmental impact,” he said.
Each resort, the minister noted, is designed to operate independently, with its own waste management, water production, and energy systems — an approach that promotes environmental self-sufficiency.
