The Maldives escaped some of the destruction caused by the recent Indian Ocean tsunami thanks partly to its geography. Its low-lying profile ensured that the massive waves largely ‘rolled over’ the small islands – rather than hitting them with forces experienced in neighbouring Sri Lanka.
The highest point in the Maldives is only 2.4m above the sea, with 80 per cent of the land being 1m or less above sea level.
The total death toll in the region is believed to be around 90 people. A further 26 people are still missing.
The Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on Wolmar Beach in Flic en Flac suffered severe damages and will remain closed until late 2005. Taj’s second Maldives site, Taj Coral Reef, was also affected but aims to fully reopen by 31 January.
Four Seasons closed its resort at Kuda Huraa after it was badly damaged by the tidal wave, while all guests were evacuated from the Fun Island resort in the South Male’ Atoll. Most of the resort, which is operated by Villa Hotels, was destroyed by the tsunami.
Six villas at the Soneva Fushi resort were damaged by the waves and the Soneva Gili resort was forced to close. Six Senses, which operates the two resorts, aims to re-open Soneva Gili during February.
Per Aquum, which operates two resorts in the Maldives, reported minor damages to its facilities and continues to operate its Huvafen Fushi and Dhoni Mighili resorts normally.
Although all five water bungalows at Huvafen Fushi were damaged by the waves, the resort’s underwater spa treatment rooms were not affected.
The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa also escaped damage, while tour operator First Choice announced that only one of its 584 customers in the region had been killed by the tsunami.
Tourism accounts for around 20 per cent of the Maldives’ gross domestic product (GDP) so a drop in visitor numbers would create major pressure on the island nation’s economy.
The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board, however, remains optimistic and issued a statement saying that the 87 island resorts had fared considerably better than many situated on the coastlines of neighbouring countries.
A spokesperson said: “The after-effects of the tsunami are not so severe on the tourism industry of the Maldives because each resort has its own infrastructure – an independent power supply, sewerage system, water supply and other support facilities.
“Because of this, the risk that may usually be associated with these types of disasters such as electrical accidents, water contamination and epidemics are negligible.”
