Famous travel and tourism magazine Conde Nast Traveller has claimed the Maldives still a safe haven for vacationers to enjoy their holidays amid the ongoing state of emergency.
Conde Nast had reached out to holidaymakers currently enjoying the sea and sand in Maldives, who had all agreed the ongoing state of emergency has not affected the relaxing environments of resorts which are geographically detached from capital city Male'.
Similar sentiments had been echoed earlier by many of the local travel and tourism related non-government organizations and associations. Maldives operates a 'one island one resort' concept which prevents resort life getting intertwined by the politics of mainlands in the country.
Following the presidential decree of a 15-day state of emergency in Maldives, several international countries had issued their respective travel advisories recommending travelers to take cautionary steps while traveling to the island nation.
Countries like United States, United Kingdom along with Canada had issued travel advisories updating their citizens of the ongoing political strife in Maldives while India had advised its countrymen who are residing in the archipelago to avoid local crowds and gatherings.
“The prevailing political developments in the Maldives and the resultant law and order situation are a matter of concern for the Government of India. Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice. Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings,” Indian government had said referring to the situation in Maldives.
To allay travelers' fears Four Seasons Maldives Resorts had released an update on their website which read “political events in the Maldives are typically confined to the capital island of Malé and do not affect the resort islands.The situation in the capital is calm. Malé International Airport which is located on another island (Hulhule), separate from the capital, is operating as usual. We do not expect any disruption to air services. Four Seasons Resorts Maldives continue to operate as usual – Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Four Seasons Private Island at Voavah and Four Seasons Explorer look forward to welcoming our guests.”
The island nation has been embroiled in fresh political turmoil after the Supreme Court last Thursday ordered the immediate release of jailed political leaders including self-exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had declared a 15 day state of emergency after his last ditch attempt to convince the top court to revoke the order failed as the apex court rejected the government's 'legal and judicial' concerns over the order.
Since emergency state was declared police have made a series of high profile arrests including former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, two lawmakers, chief justice Abdulla Saeed, top court judge Ali Hameed and the chief judicial administrator.
Less than a day after the arrest of the two judges, the remaining three judges rescinded its ruling to release the political leaders referring to the concerns raised by president Yameen in the letters he had sent to the chief justice hours before state of emergency was declared.
Following the declaration of emergency state, several countries including US, India, Australia, UN and the UK have expressed deep concern over the situation in the island nation
