Search
Close this search box.

The Beginning of Maldives Tourism Industry – History of the First Resort, Kurumba Maldives

Aerial view of kurumba maldives
The Maldives tourism industry started with the first resort, Kurumba Maldives' opening in 1972. Here's a brief history of the resort.

There was a time a tourism industry did not exist in the Maldives. Back then, the Maldives was inhabited only by fisherfolk and remained unknown to the outside world. It all started with the first resort in the Maldives, Kurumba Maldives’ opening in 1972.

Beginning of the Maldives’ Tourism Industry

Tourism started with the passion and determination of Kurumba’s young Maldivian founders. The very beginning was a meeting in Colombo between George Corbin, an Italian travel agent, and Ahmed Naseem. Ahmed Naseem was then a junior with the Maldives Embassy who later became the Foreign Minister of Maldives. Corbin was looking for pristine islands where he could bring Italians to swim and hunt fish. On his first visit to the Maldives, it was love at first sight.

In February 1972, Corbin brought the first tourists to the Maldives. The first arrivals were mainly journalists and photographers. Likewise, the tourists were accommodated in three houses in Malé. Furthermore, they were looked after by Mohamed Umar Maniku (Now Universal Enterprises’ Chairman) and his friends, including Hussain Afeef, who is currently the successful owner/operator of several resorts in the Maldives.

Kurumba – The first resort in the Maldives

Corbin vowed to bring more tourists if Maniku, Naseem, and Afeef could find tourists somewhere to stay. Thus, Kurumba was born. Driven and inspired with enthusiasm Maniku and Afeef linked up with the leaseholder of Vihamanaafushi. Vihamanaafushi was within close proximity to the airstrip and the capital. Access to the island back then was only by sailing dhoni or open boat with an outboard motor.

Image: Kurumba Maldives

M U Maniku worked as an agriculture officer. After finishing his work each day at 1.30 pm, he spent his time developing Vihamanaafushi. And with financial help from Corbin and his own resources, Maniku and his young Maldivian friends built 30 rooms in blocks of three, using coral stone for walls, coconut timber, and palm thatch for roofs at the island. The rooms had a brackish water shower and toilet, basic furniture, and access to the beach. Meanwhile, meals were taken in a canteen or as barbecues on the beach.

The island was the first resort in the Maldives and came to be known as Kurumba Village. Meanwhile, Afeef became the manager of the resort. Kurumba Village opened on Tuesday 3 October 1972 and remained fully booked for the rest of the year. In its humble origins, Kurumba welcomed 60 guests a month.

Since then, Kurumba became a resort that welcomes 14,000 guests. The resort went from a handful of the founding friends to a staff of 450. In 2003, Kurumba underwent a complete transformation yet again. However, now meeting the demands of the 21st century. The result was a world-class resort with 180 rooms, including the Royal Residence, Presidential Suites, Pool Villas, Family Villas, and beach and garden superior rooms. Today the resort has matured into the Grand Hotel of the Maldives, setting the benchmark for hospitality in the region, and in the tropics at large.

This article is sourced from www.kurumba.com/maldives-history
Feature image by kurumba Maldives
Ad - immaldives.com

Latest

Dive Into a Wicked Romance This Valentine’s Day at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Invites You to a romantic getaway

This Valentine’s Day, escape the ordinary and dive into a world of thrilling romance at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa with their “Wicked Romance” celebration. Passion takes on a bold new form here. It blends mystery, playfulness, and unexpected surprises. For couples looking to celebrate love in a way that’s both exciting and intimate, this luxurious island retreat offers an experience that is both indulgent and adventurous. Romance at Pullman Maldives is anything but typical, it’s a journey into the unexpected, designed for those who dare to experience love differently.

Immersive Romantic Dining Experiences

As night falls over the Maldives, lovers embrace unique dining experiences that tantalize the senses. For those who crave intimacy and elegance, the Spellbound Sunset Experience invites you to a private sunken beach dinner. The soft glow of candlelight illuminates an exquisite multi-course meal. With toes buried in the cool sand and the ocean breeze gently stirring, it sets the perfect scene for a night of enchantment.

If you prefer the rhythmic lull of waves, Romance Written in the Stars takes you to the beachfront for a gourmet dinner. Rose Champagne complements the meal, all under a sparkling canopy of stars. Furthermore, the beauty of the Maldivian sky enhances the experience, making it a truly memorable meal by the shore.

Couples can start their day in luxury with the Floating Beyond Gravity experience. You’ll enjoy a floating breakfast in the privacy of your pool, complete with a bottle of bubbly. Watch the sunrise while indulging in this dreamy breakfast. For added romance, the Lagoon Love Spell offers a rose-scented bubble bath, sparkling wine, and chocolate-covered strawberries. This combination creates a blissful moment of relaxation.

Deep Dive into Love

Adventurous couples who want to explore new depths of love can embark on the How Deep Is Your Love experience. This extraordinary underwater journey takes you on a dive into the crystal-clear waters. Glide hand in hand, discovering vibrant marine life together. A professional team captures these moments with stunning underwater photos and videos, including a cinematic social media reel and a longer keepsake video. These underwater memories add a unique chapter to your love story.

Unwind Together at the Pullman Spa

Pullman Spa offers three luxurious treatments designed for couples to relax and reconnect. The Born for You package invites you to enjoy a 90-minute couple’s massage with warm oils, followed by a romantic rose-infused bubble bath. This experience slows down time and creates an atmosphere of pure serenity.

For those who enjoy self-care, the Grow Old with You package sets the perfect tone. A 45-minute massage begins the pampering session. Then, you’ll enjoy a gentleman’s manicure and a nourishing deep-conditioning hair treatment for her, reminding you that caring for yourselves together strengthens your bond.

For ultimate indulgence, the Through the Years experience offers a full-body renewal. Couples share a 60-minute massage, followed by a 45-minute body wrap or exfoliation. A refreshing cucumber mask and a rejuvenating steam session complete the experience. This journey leaves both of you feeling fully restored and deeply connected.

Fun for Little Romantics

Even the youngest romantics can join the fun at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa. While you indulge in your own luxurious moments, kids unleash their creativity in the Sugar & Spells and Heartful Creations session. They decorate heart-shaped pizzas, cupcakes, and cookies with love. Meanwhile, parents can sneak away for a quiet sunset champagne toast, indulging in their own romantic celebration.

A Wellness Retreat for the Senses

Couples looking for a deeper connection can immerse themselves in the Valentine Wellness Retreat. This experience begins with a hypnotic couple’s sound healing session, followed by a nourishing breakfast at Sol Rising. Afterward, a 60-minute couple’s massage melts away tension, and the evening continues with a wellness-focused in-villa dining dinner. As dawn breaks, the floating yoga ritual casts its final enchantment. Two bodies move in harmony while the ocean sways beneath them—creating a perfect way to deepen your connection physically and spiritually.

The Ultimate Indulgence

For couples seeking unapologetic luxury, the Underwater Aqua Villa Offer invites you to embrace pleasure in its most lavish form. Begin with an intimate in-villa dining experience. Then, soak in a rose-petal bubble bath. In the morning, enjoy a floating breakfast in your private pool, setting the tone for another indulgent day. A couple’s massage at the Pullman Spa follows, and a private yoga session leaves you feeling completely unraveled and at peace. At Pullman Maldives, love always carries a wicked twist.

Be it a moonlit beach dinner, a decadent spa day, or an underwater adventure, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa encourages guests to embrace a Wicked Romance. After all, love should never follow the ordinary, Wickedly Yours, Today and Always.

Ad - immaldives.com
No more posts to show