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George Corbin: Special message on Maldives reopening, tourism restart
Maldivian tourism experience as we see it today would have taken shape or form were it not for the encouragement and support from one individual: George Corbin.
Forty-eight years ago, the Italian travel agent took a chance upon a true underdog among the giants of tourism in the region. His ardent efforts to promote the Maldives as a destination helped set the very foundations of tourism in the then little-known stretch of islands in the Indian Ocean.
It all began with a chance meeting in Colombo between Corbin and Ahmed Naseem, then a junior with the Maldives embassy in Sri Lanka who later became foreign minister. At the time, Corbin was seeking pristine islands where he could bring Italians to swim and hunt fish.
For Corbin, the idyllic Maldives archipelago was love at first sight. Upon his first visit to Male, with Naseem by a cargo ship in 1971, he immediately vowed to return with more guests.
Corbin brought the Maldives’ first tourists, mainly journalists and photographers, in February 1972. They stayed in humble lodging in three houses in Male, looked after by Mohamed Umar Maniku (now the Chairman of leading hospitality company Universal Enterprises) and his friends, including Hussain Afeef who is currently the successful owner and operator of several resorts.
Perfect for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, the Maldives enchanted them. Corbin promised to bring more tourists if Maniku, Naseem and Afeef could find them somewhere to stay. And Kurumba Village (now Kurumba Maldives), the country’s first tourist resort, was born.
Almost half a decade later, the thriving tourism industry in Maldives has been devastated. The global coronavirus pandemic has ground the industry to a halt, cutting off the country’s state revenues and foreign reserves.
But there’s much to be hopeful about. On Wednesday, the Maldives reopened its borders to visitors. Several major international airlines are expected to resume scheduled passenger flights to the country soon.
As the Maldives takes its first steps towards recovery, Corbin has a special message:
This is George Corbin with a message to the Maldives and its people.
Because of the loss of a family member, I will not be able to visit the Maldives for the official opening of their borders to international travellers, marking a very important moment after months of lockdown caused by the coronavirus.
The Maldives has a very solid tourism infrastructure, thanks to its numerous luxurious resorts, boutique hotels, guesthouses, liveaboard boats, gorgeous white sandy beaches, breath-taking underwater world, and most of all the humble kindness of the Maldivian people. The potential in the Maldive islands is huge and will be rewarded for years to come. How the beautiful the Maldive islands are with their thousands of coconut trees, sandy beaches, superb coral reefs, and most of all its beautiful variety of fish.
My first visit was in 1971, and on that trip I had the great pleasure and honour of meeting my now dear friend, Ahmed Naseem.
Naseem and partners and myself decided to get into a joint venture and build the first resort in the history of Maldives. And in 1972, we inaugurated the Kurumba Village, receiving the first tourists.
Today, the Maldive islands are world known and among the best destinations, getting visitors of different nationalities and regions, thus being a very safe haven.
To His Excellency the President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, to the ministry of tourism, and to every single Maldivian; I can only wish lots of success and happiness.
Note: This article contains reporting by Himoo Waheed. Cover photo: Naseem (R) and Corbin meet in Colombo in 2017. PHOTO/ @SaleemaRazak/ TWITTER
JEN Maldives by Shangri-La is welcoming the holy month of Ramadan with a series of Iftar evenings at Lime Restaurant, inviting guests to gather in the spirit of reflection, gratitude and togetherness.
Recognising Ramadan as a time that brings families, friends and communities closer, the hotel has curated an Iftar experience designed to go beyond dining. The focus is on creating a welcoming environment where traditions are observed, conversations unfold naturally and shared moments are celebrated around the table.
Located in the heart of Malé, Lime Restaurant provides a warm and contemporary setting suited to a range of gatherings, from colleagues reconnecting after work to families and friends breaking fast together. Each evening reflects the generosity associated with Ramadan, featuring carefully prepared dishes, live cooking stations and a selection of sweet treats that balance traditional flavours with creative touches.
Iftar at JEN Maldives by Shangri-La is shaped by attentive service and thoughtful hospitality. Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere that blends comfort with understated elegance, allowing space for reflection while enjoying a relaxed dining experience. The hotel’s culinary and service teams work closely to ensure consistency, quality and authenticity throughout the season.
Whether for intimate gatherings or larger group celebrations, the venue offers flexibility supported by a culinary programme rooted in care and attention to detail. The Ramadan offering is designed to ensure guests feel at ease while enjoying a distinctive Iftar experience in the capital.
Throughout the holy month, JEN Maldives by Shangri-La invites guests to come together at Lime Restaurant to experience evenings defined by flavour, generosity and meaningful connection, in keeping with the true spirit of Ramadan.
Milaidhoo Maldives is hosting a wine pairing dinner celebrating Provençal elegance and gastronomy on 4 March 2026 at the resort’s Shoreline Grill. The evening will feature wines from Château Minuty and will be hosted by Sébastien Nore, Global Strategy and Export Director of Château Minuty, offering guests insight into the winery’s heritage and approach to fine winemaking.
Originally from Limousin, France, Nore brings extensive experience in the international beverage industry. His career includes roles with Kronenbourg Wineries and PepsiCo France, followed by senior leadership positions at Diageo and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. He has played a key role in expanding Château Minuty’s global presence and currently oversees the winery’s strategy, sales, communication and marketing, with a focus on innovation and the refined character of Provençal rosé.
During the dinner, guests will enjoy a curated selection of Château Minuty wines, paired with a bespoke menu created by the Shoreline Grill culinary team. The featured wines include:
- Château Minuty M de Minuty Rosé Magnum 1.5L – Artist Edition 2024
- Château Minuty Prestige Rosé 2024
- Château Minuty Rosé et Or 2024
- Château Minuty 281 2024
Beyond this event, the dinner reflects Milaidhoo Maldives’ wider commitment to gastronomy. The resort’s Gourmet Plan is designed for guests with a strong interest in food and wine, offering personalised, multi-course dining experiences throughout their stay. Each menu is crafted to highlight the relationship between carefully selected ingredients and complementary wines, with an emphasis on authenticity and balance.
The Château Minuty dinner marks the fourth wine-focused event hosted by Milaidhoo Maldives this year, underscoring the resort’s ongoing focus on curated culinary experiences. The evening is positioned as a sensory journey, combining refined flavours, thoughtful pairings and a convivial island setting.
Constance Hospitality has been recognised in the 2026 Traveller Review Awards by Booking.com, with its Maldivian resorts achieving some of the highest scores within the group’s portfolio.
In the Maldives, Constance Halaveli Maldives received an outstanding score of 9.8 out of 10, while Constance Moofushi Maldives achieved 9.7. The ratings, based on verified guest reviews, reflect consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service delivery.
Constance Halaveli Maldives, known for its spacious overwater and beachfront villas, personalised service and refined dining concepts, continues to perform strongly among travellers. Constance Moofushi Maldives, positioned as a barefoot chic resort with an all-inclusive concept, also maintains a high guest approval rating, supported by its diving experiences and relaxed island atmosphere.
While the wider Constance portfolio across the Indian Ocean was recognised, the Maldives properties stand out as the group’s highest-rated resorts in the 2026 awards cycle.
Commenting on the recognition, Jean-Jacques Vallet, Chief Executive Officer of Constance Hospitality, stated that the awards reflect the professionalism and commitment of the teams on the ground. He added that guest feedback remains central to maintaining service standards and delivering consistent experiences across the group’s destinations.
The recognition reinforces the position of Constance Halaveli Maldives and Constance Moofushi Maldives as leading performers within the Maldives’ competitive luxury hospitality sector.
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