One of the most prominent figures associated with the Maldives tourism industry scene, George Corbin who lead the very first tour group to the island nation, shared his opinion over Maldives tourism progress.
According to Mr. Corbin, the island nation’s tourism industry has progressed beyond his belief while he added that his memories of the country were still from 50 years ago, noting the significant progress made by the island nation.
Mr. Corbin shared his observation with local media after arriving in the Maldives to take part in the celebratory activities commemorating the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the country’s tourism industry in 2022.
While the tourism industry found its birth on 03rd October 1972 with the inception of the country’s first tourist resort, Kurumba Maldives catering to tourists with just 30-beds accommodation, tourist arrivals started a little earlier on the same year on 16th February.
Mr. Corbin was intimately involved in bringing the first tour group to the island nation – a batch of some twenty hippie backpackers and journalists, mostly hailing from Italy.
This marks the third visit of Mr. Corbin to the island nation, with his most recent being back in 2018. He received a warm welcome upon arrival at the Velana International Airport (VIA) where he was greeted by incumbent Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom and current Minister of Health, Mr. Ahmed Naseem who had been a key pioneer of the tourism industry.
While addressing local media at the airport venue right after arrival, Mr. Corbin had commented that he was reminded of the beginning of the country’s tourism movement. He went on to further note that though the country has observed immense infrastructure, social, and economic growth the friendliness and kindness of the Maldivian locals remain constant to date.
“I can still visualize how Male’ was in the ’70s. Cycles and cars were not there then. The roads were sandy. I still have those memories,” Mr. Corbin reminisced.
“The progress made by Maldivian tourism over the past 50 years is difficult to believe,” he added.
During his six-day visit to the Maldives, Mr. Corbin is expected to meet with senior officials of the tourism industry and associations, and discuss ways of expanding the United States tourist market in the Maldives.
Speaking about his experience with the Maldives, Mr. Corbin delightedly noted, “I have seen many, many places. Maldives is a very different [from other] places. The reefs in Maldives are also different. So don’t destroy those reefs. The damage caused by the destruction of the reefs will also be seen. Previously, red sea had a variety of beautiful marine life. But there is nothing we can see now.”
Mr. Corbin arrived in the Maldives on 15th February, Tuesday.