The Maldives has been in the news quite a lot recently. Their cabinet, you might remember, held a cabinet meeting under water to highlight the effects of climate change. When you think of the Maldives the first thought is of a luxury holiday location. Now the tourism authority is trying to encourage 3 and 4 star hotels so that there is more on offer to suit every pocket. Independent travellers like backpackers are also welcome and will find it easier to get around as new infrastructure projects are completed. British Airways recently announced a direct flight and there are lots of flights via the Gulf.

One emphasis is now on community tourism where the profits of tourism will remain in that local community. Up until recently there has been criticism that some developers have taken all their profits away from the country rather than it benefiting the country.

Interestingly they have two projects they are developing which you might find as surprising as I did. The first is link with Cornwall’s Eden Project and create something like that in the country. The second is that there is a link with the big and successful Hay-on-Wye literary festival where, for 2 days, environmental writers can get together.( A longer version will be uploaded after WTM)