Maldives, more and more the top destination

The Italians like the Maldives more and more, and who can blame them? The heavenly islands in the Indian Ocean offer the most luxurious resorts in the world – as well as more low-profile solutions, which are every bit as rich in exotic appeal

The Maldives is an increasingly sought-after and prized destination, and the figures confirm this. Last year, for the first time, the number of Italian visitors that spent a holiday on one of the enchanting islands in the Indian Ocean passed the one hundred thousand arrivals threshold. Specifically, the records showed 105,297 visitors, an increase of 18.5% compared to the previous year.

The tourism offer of the Maldives was presented at the BIT in Milan from a stand with 10 partners counting resorts and hospitality agencies, and its success testifies to the archipelago being a destination whose popularity is relentlessly expanding. Further proof comes from the queen of the influencers: Chiara Ferragni popped in to one of the most exclusive Maldivian resorts to spend her Instagrammed honeymoon with hubby Fedez.

However, while the location chosen by Ferragnez is for a privileged few, the Maldives is actually an affordable dream. Alitalia offers direct flights from Rome and Milan to Malè, the capital of the Maldives; and, as was emphasized at the BIT by the new managing director of the Maldives tourism office Mohamed Thoyyib, recent years have seen an increase in the offering of guesthouses, charming and affordable hospitality solutions that are spread over about 50 splendid, unspoilt islands inhabited by fishermen.

About the Maldives

The Maldives is made up of 2 rows of atolls that stretch into the Indian Ocean, straddling the equator. The country has 1,192 islands in 26 natural atolls with a total area of 90,000 square metres. The atolls rest on a ridge that rises from the ocean and are formed by a coral reef that encloses a lagoon, with deep channels separating the oceanic reefs. 99% of the Maldives consists of the sea, and its islands, of which only 188 are inhabited and 129 used for tourist accommodation, are scattered among the atolls. The islands are protected by miles of reefs that must remain alive to ensure the future of the archipelago. Hence, several regulations have been issued to safeguard this fragile natural environment. Since 1995, important marine regions have been nominated protected areas, and endangered marine species such as whale sharks, turtles, dolphins and corals are protected by law. As regards hospitality, the Maldives offers 145 tourist villages, 521 guesthouses, 12 hotels and 148 LiveAboard vessels. The companies connecting Italy and the Maldives by direct flight are Alitalia and Neos Air. With stopover: Aeroflot, AirFrance, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss Airlines, Omar Air, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. What is the climate like in the Maldives? The average temperature is around 30 degrees all year round and there are 2 distinct seasons: the dry season from January to March, and the wet season from mid-May to November.