Maldives questions motives behind campaign to boycott resorts
The high commissioner for the Maldives has questioned the motives of a website which is calling for holidaymakers to boycott 13 resorts on the islands.
An online group calling itself the Ethical Maldives Alliance has published a list of resorts it wants visitors to avoid, claiming the hotels are guilty of ill-treatment of local and foreign workers, dumping waste at sea, illegal shark fishing and supporting corruption on the islands.
But the campaign group has not provided any proof of the claims made against the resorts and there are no details of who is behind the group on its website.
In a letter to TravelMole following an article last week, Maldives acting high commissioner Hassan Shifau said the resorts targeted seem to have been categorised not on the basis of any practices in their resorts, but on the basis of the alleged links of their owners to the Government of Maldives.
"In a country as small as the Maldives, where tourism is a key industry, it is inevitable that many resort owners will have professional or personal relationships with political party leaders. But, this will be as true for opposition parties as for government parties," he said.
In addition, Shifau said the 13 resorts all belong to either one of only two resort groups.
"With only two resort groups targeted and little information about the identities of those behind the Ethical Maldives Alliance, it is difficult to discern the true intentions and objectives of the website," he added.
"In the absence of any evidence linking resorts to human rights violation, it is perfectly plausible that the website constitutes a targeted smear campaign by business rivals or disgruntled individuals who are exploiting political developments to further their private objectives.
"Alternatively, the website could simply be an outlet to spread groundless allegations about the Government of Maldives in an attempt to undermine parts of the tourism sector for political ends."
The high commissioner said in the last year the Maldives has implemented a ‘significant number of measures’ to promote and preserve human rights in the country.
And he assured visitors that wherever they stay, tourists can look forward to a warm welcome and enjoyable holiday.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers