According to the Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP), a founding project of UK-based charity Manta Trust that works to conserve manta rays and their relatives, The Maldives apparently hosts the largest manta populations in the world. (Photo: MMPRC)
Cover According to the Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP), a founding project of UK-based charity Manta Trust that works to conserve manta rays and their relatives, the Maldives is home the largest manta populations in the world. (Photo: Visit Maldives)

Thanks to a comprehensive list of public health and safety measures, the Maldives is well on its way to becoming the world’s first fully vaccinated tourism sector

As we approach the final quarter of 2021 after spending most of the year under lockdown, a change of scenery has never been more appealing—especially if you have been fully vaccinated. An island holiday may just be what you need right now. 
 
Look to Maldives for that well-deserved retreat. The country reopened its international borders in July 2020, and since then has had the time to fine-tune its Covid-19 safe tourism guideline (as issued by the Republic of Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism) to ensure a worry-free and safe holiday.

Here are three major reasons why this spectacular island destination should be number one on your post-vaccination to-visit list.

Related: "Vaxication" In The Maldives—What To Know About Vaccine Tourism

1. A Successful Vaccination Initiative

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Above Photo: MMPRC

With stringent public health and safety measures in place for both citizens as well as tourists, the Maldives is well on its way to achieving its goal in becoming the world's first fully-vaccinated tourism sector.

Other than launching its national vaccination programme in February, which provided free vaccines to all its residents, the 'I'm Vaccinated' campaign in April 2021, a collaborative effort between Visit Maldives and the Ministry of Tourism, only bolstered its vaccination drive to ensure that the nation remains as "one of the safest destinations in the world for travellers". In fact, the Maldives has been granted the 'Safe Travels Stamp' by the World Travel and Tourism Council on September 15, 2020.

To further emphasise the effectiveness of their initiative, "over 97 per cent of the employees in tourist resorts have received the first dose of the vaccine, with over 90 per cent (of its local residents) being fully vaccinated" as of August 2021, according to Visit Maldives' online brochure entitled Maldives: A Safe Haven For Travellers.

The aforementioned campaign also has a microsite that regularly updates the vaccination progress of Maldives' tourism industry.

Read also: Travelling During Covid-19—What You Should Know

2. A Treasure Trove of Experiences

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Photo 1 of 5 Photo: Visit Maldives
Photo 2 of 5 Photo: Visit Maldives
Photo 3 of 5 Photo: Sebastian Pena Lambarri/Unspalsh
Photo 4 of 5 Photo: Visit Maldives
Photo 5 of 5 Photo: Visit Maldives

The Maldives is an archipelago consisting of  1190 coral islands on the Indian Ocean, a geographical formation that further adds to one's peace of mind seeing it's nature's solution to social distancing.

What's more, the country's 'one-island-one-resort' concept provides a stress-free vacation with the added appeal of exclusivity. From resorts and liveaboards to hotels and guesthouses, visitors are free to personalise their own experiences in the Maldives. If you're looking for an island hopping adventure but still want to luxuriate in top-tier R&R, you can either opt for an all-in-one liveaboard, or treat yourself to a wellness retreat with a view as you get to choose from the numerous touring programmes provided by the local establishments.

Speaking of experiences, did you know that you could swim with whale sharks? According a Visit Maldives article dated August 30, whale shark sightings can be organised via Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme's Whale Shark Network Maldives app; in any case, many tourist accommodations offer their own tours for this once-in-a-lifetime excursion.

To encourage tourists to further immerse themselves in rich Maldivian culture, the Maldives Border Miles is a three-tier, nationwide loyalty programme that rewards tourists based on the points accumulated from the duration of their stay, the frequency of their visits, as well as the visits on special occasions.

See more: Le Méridien Opens Its First Resort In Maldives

3. Not Your Average Getaway

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Photo 1 of 4 Photo: Visit Maldives
Photo 2 of 4 The Maldivian night skies are one to watch (Photo: Ibrahim Shabil/Unsplash)
Photo 3 of 4 Photo: Visit Maldives
Photo 4 of 4 Photo: Visit Maldives

Aside from being a popular travel destination with a bucket list of attractions, the Maldives is ultimately an experience like no other. From culture (like how they have their own language called Dhivehi) and food, to the rich marine biodiversity, there's something to discover even for the most jaded travellers.

Whether it's the simple joys of stargazing—which the islands are perfect for by the way, seeing as they're situated right on the equator, meaning that both the northern and southern hemisphere's stars are visible—or exploring the depths of the Bio Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the modern traveller today is one who prioritises comfort and authenticity, both of which the Maldives has in abundance.

Read more: Hotel Restaurants In Asia With The Best Views

To kickstart the island getaway of your dreams, look to Visit Maldives' website as well as their Facebook page for more information; and for further details to ensure a safe-and-stress-free holiday, you can also email them via southeastasia.pr@visitmaldives.com.

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