2 independent reviews for Maldives cultural experience vacation
Reviews for Maldives cultural experience vacation
Rosemary Chinchen review 15 Jan 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Being surrounded by a pod of around 300 spinner dolphins and seeing lots of fish while snorkelling. Sitting on a white sandy beach and walking out into the sea to snorkel in warm clear blue waters.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Maafushi is one of the larger and more commercialised islands which caters for those wanting less expensive accommodation. There is a lot of building work going on around the island, including next door to our hotel, but this did not interfere with our enjoyment of the vacation. If you want a small romantic island this may not be the one for you, but it was perfect for four friends who enjoyed the few shops on the island, varied restaurants and being able to snorkel off the beach. The Triton Beach hotel and spa was not right on the beach, but a few yards away. The rooms were a very good size and had a balcony. It was also exceptionally clean and as good as any hotel I have stayed in. The restaurant was very stark with a football table and pool table and the pool by one side, which didn't appear to be used.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I did. Booking through a local company who employs local people benefits the community. We didn't like the use of plastic bags on the islands and suggest that they look for alternative packing materials for souvenirs.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Very relaxing.Read the operator's response here:
Dear Rosemary,
Thank you for taking time to write your review. It was a pleasure to be able to meet with all upon arrival and then during my brief visit to Maafushi and I was delighted to learn that you were all having a great time and were being well looked after by your personal guide Kokko Ibbe.
Local tourism in the Maldives at just 6 years old is still very much in it's infancy and there are indeed challenges and improvement opportunities to be made. The Maldivian’s would historically have thrown their waste into the ocean, however, that was in the days when waste would have been predominantly food waste and all biodegradable, then came along plastic and then came over one million visitors. Add all this together and we are presented with a country that has a significant challenge regarding waste removal. Positively, there are a number of actions being taken to manage waste and over time a more environmentally
friendly waste management process will come into being throughout the archipelago. Whilst the obvious answer is for the government to ban the use of plastic bags we are a long way from this decision being made. However, as a business we work closely with NGO Save the Beach to increase awareness of both waste management and coral reef protection. Last year we sponsored and supported waste management presentations in schools in the capital. We also take part in monthly beach or city clean ups in Hulhumale where our office is based.
I have been visiting the Maldives since 2000 and have had the pleasure of living here for the past 6 years. I have personally seen waste management practices improve over this period of time. There is certainly a growing awareness and it is also encouraging to see a lot of youth involvement. Whilst it is going to be a slow process to achieve a plastic bag free nation, as visitors to the country we can all play our part by taking home plastic waste wherever possible and by leading by example.
We look forward to you traveling with us again in the future.
Kind Regards,
Ruth
Veronica Vigano review 9 Nov 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We experienced the real Maldives, met local people and learnt about their kindness and dignity. We accepted their costumes and in exchange they showed us beautiful places. Often the local beach in the island was exclusively for us. Islands and the sea are amazing, every snorkel, dive or boat trip is a magic surprise.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be ready to accept what is offered to you and to abide to local rules, no fancy clothing required, water activities will take up most of your time. Local tourism is a new concept, people are still learning and enthusiastically giving more then you expect.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes the vacation benefited locals who are working really hard to offer the best to tourists. Plastic bottles are still widely used, but in 1 guesthouse they were providing filtered water. In our facilities nothing was wasted and guides always had as a primary focus conservation of the environment.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a blast!!Read the operator's response here:
Dear Veronica,
We were delighted to be able to welcome you to the Maldives to experience one of our local adventures and therefore is is with great pleasure that we read your positive and enthusiastic feedback.
We work hard with our partners and guides to promote and drive responsible tourism and it is always pleasing when their is acknowledged. I will ensure all your comments are shared with Kamey, your guide and the teams at the Guesthouses where you stayed.
Thank you for taking the time to submit your review and we hope that we can welcome you to the Maldives again in the future.
Kind Regards,
Ruth
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