Half a century ago, the uninhabited islands near Malé served as temporary shelters for fishermen during stormy weather; however, a twist of fate led to the transformation of the Maldives into a world-renowned tourist destination.

In the early 1970s, Italian adventurer George Corbin discovered the Maldives on a map and was drawn to its unexplored beauty. His arrival in the country would prove to be a turning point for Maldivians, paving the way for the birth of the nation’s tourism industry.

On February 16, 1972, the first group of tourists, brought to the Maldives by Corbin, arrived in the country, consisting primarily of Italian journalists. Captivated by the white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, they described the Maldives as a “new paradise” upon their return home, marking the beginning of an industry that would go on to transform the nation's economy. They stayed in modest accommodations, spread across three houses in Malé, as there were no resorts at the time. During their stay, they spent their days diving, fishing with spearguns, and sunbathing on the sandy shores.

The idea of introducing tourism to the Maldives had initially emerged in the 1960s among Maldivian students studying abroad in Egypt, Sri Lanka, and other countries; however, no concrete steps had been taken until George Corbin arrived in the Maldives in 1971 aboard the Maldives Explorer, a cargo ship that operated between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. He was captivated by the natural beauty of the country and recognised its potential as a tourist destination. Corbin, who now resides in the United States, recalled that at the time, the Maldives was a fishing nation, primarily exporting coconut and dried fish.

Maldives Explorer - the cargo ship George Corbin arrived in

Inspired by Corbin’s vision, the first Maldivian resort, Kurumba, was developed on Vihamanaafushi and officially opened on October 3, 1972. Corbin initially held a 50 per cent stake in the resort but later relinquished his share. The establishment of Kurumba marked the beginning of a thriving industry, laying the foundation for the Maldives’ transformation into a world-class luxury destination.

George Corbin --- Photo: Lucas Jaleel

Tourism statistics indicate that 1,097 tourists visited the Maldives in 1972, with only 280 tourist beds available. Over the decades, the industry expanded rapidly. By 2010, the Maldives had welcomed 10 million tourists, and by 2018, the number had reached 20 million. That year, the country had 831 registered tourist establishments and 45,419 beds. 

The Maldives’ reputation as a premier travel destination has been consistently recognised on the global stage. Last year, the country won the World’s Leading Destination Award for the fifth consecutive year, reinforcing its status as the most sought-after tourist destination. Today, what was once a small fishing nation has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar tourism industry.

Since 1972, a total of 29.3 million tourists have visited the Maldives. Based on current projections, the 30 millionth tourist is expected to arrive in April 2025.

Reflecting on the country’s success, George Corbin attributed the growth of Maldivian tourism to the dedication of investors and industry pioneers. He also believes that the true secret to its success lies in the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Maldivian people.