One of the countries in the world that is considered the most friendly to tourists also has some of the most beautiful beaches and thrilling things to do for visitors. More and more hotspots are getting fed up of overtourism and places like Majorca, Barcelona, Venice and Lisbon have seen large protests from locals who are concerned about the effects of high levels of visitors to their hometowns. But other places are more welcoming to tourists and if you want to feel at ease on your summer holiday, there are plenty of choices.
According to renowned tourism publication CN Traveller, one of the friendliest countries in the world for tourists to go to is the Maldives. This gorgeous archipeligo in the Indian Ocean, located south of India and Sri Lanka, is full of scenic beaches, amazing nature and luxury resorts. And it is also home to some of the friendliest people you will ever meet, according to multiple travel experts. While countries like Spain, Portugal and Italy get tired of too many tourists, it might be time to look further afield at somewhere like Maldives.
CN Traveller gave Maldives a friendliness score of 93.5 out of 100. This was based on their readers’ experiences in various destinaitons around the world, voting for places where they felt the most welcome as an international visitor.
Maldives is renowned for its hospitality and warm welcomes. However, there is plenty more to attract you to this series of islands as well.
Some of the top-rated, beautiful beaches in Maldives include No Bikini Beach which is famous for it’s white sand and crystal clear waters, offering a true taste of paradise for a summer holiday. One Tripadvisor reviewer called it “”amazing” while another labelled it “perfect”.
Other popular beaches for tourists in Maldives include Veligandu Island Beach, Bikini Beach, Gulhi Beach and Hulhumale Beach. There are a number of other things to do and see on the islands as well.
Alimatha Island is famous for its over-water bungalows and is really an experience like no else. If you get to stay in one of these little houses, it’s really a surreal experience.
There is also Banana Beach which is where many tourists go to scuba dive and snorkel, taking in the fascinating and diverse marine life that lies just beneath the water. One online review called the experience here “absolutely amazing” and the sentiment was echoed by hudreds more.
As well as seaside fun, there is lots of culture and history to take in when you are in Maldives. The country is home to many mosques which tourists have visted been wowed by, as well as local markets to grab some local food.
Tourism in Maldives has continued to grow and Brits are starting to discover what is really on offer here. To get to Maldives from the UK, you can fly British Airways from London Heathrow Airport directly to Velana International Airport (MLE).
If you are leaving from other airports in the UK, you can take connecting flights on the way. Trips to this stunning country range from budget-friendly stays to more luxurious holidays and can cost anywhere from a few hundred pounds to £5,000 and more.
Multiple providers sell package holidays to this Asian country, including Virgin Holidays, British Airways and TUI.