Maldives: Tourism

 

How Environmental Effects Can Be Minimised to Ensure Future Tourism Continues

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The environmental impacts of tourism in the Maldives can be minimised to ensure that tourism can continue in the future through a number of ways. Resort development can be minimised so there is less damage done to coral reefs and less erosion would occur. I think that the number of resorts should stay as it is or that only a certain number of resorts can be built each year. Even though the Maldives depends on tourism for employment and income, I think it will be better for tourism in the long run if they can sustain their environmental attractions. Due to climate change, the sea levels are rising and if erosion continues to happen, then smaller island will wear away faster because on average, most islands are just 1 metre above sea level.

Also, I think islands should have stricter restrictions on the amount of people allowed to stay and how long they’re allowed to stay for. This will help reduce the effect they have on the area because the amount of rubbish they generate will be reduced and help places like Rubbish Island recover. This will also lower the carbon emission because diesel fuel will be needed less at places like resorts if there are less people staying there and therefore using less resources. Some resorts are already doing this such as the Soneva Gili resort which has a guest to staff ratio of 1:6. If all resort islands in the Maldives did this, then non renewable resources can be saved.

Reducing carbon usage can also play a significant role in reducing the damage done to the environment of the Maldives and therefore allow tourism to last a lot longer. Since many tourists travel a long way via plane to get to the Maldives, the Soneva Gili resort has put in a ‘carbon tax’ of 2 percent. The villa rate includes this cost for tourists who’ve travelled by plane to reach the destination. The money is used for clean energy projects and community development in developing countries which does good for the environment and also other social groups.

Indigenous plants and marine eco systems should be as well protected as possible and this means minimal amount of construction in these areas. If wave patterns in a lagoon are changed by constructions, then this can confuse the many marine animals that dwell there who depend on the tide to know when they will be able to eat. Eco systems and indigenous plants are a big part of the reason why tourists visit the Maldives and without them, tourists can replace the Maldives with any other destination in the world. Most of the tourist activities are nature based and if the nature is looking shabby, then less people will be attracted. Protecting eco systems helps maintain the natural beauty of the area and promotes the Maldives as a place with sea, sand and sun.