2 independent reviews for Maldives cultural experience holiday
Reviews for Maldives cultural experience holiday
Nigel Hunt review 16 Dec 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Meeting experts helping restore coral reefs.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you want local food at hotels don't go above 3*.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent trip from a company committed to environmentally friendly holidays.Read the operator's response here:
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that meeting Save the Beach was a memorable highlight of your holiday. Experiences like these truly showcase the importance of conservation efforts in the Maldives. Your tip about enjoying authentic local food at guesthouses and 3-star properties is spot on. These options often provide a more immersive and culturally rich experience. We’re thrilled that you felt your holiday positively impacted local communities and supported the environment. We strive to ensure every journey contributes meaningfully to both conservation and the livelihoods of the people in the Maldives. Thank you for recognizing our commitment to sustainable tourism. We look forward to welcoming you back for more responsible adventures! Kind Regards Ruth
Rosemary Chinchen review 15 Jan 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
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 travellers booking this holiday?
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 holiday. 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 holiday 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 holiday 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 travelling with us again in the future.
Kind Regards,
Ruth
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