4:58 PM
Editor
Holiday destinations offering services designed to more directly meet the needs and sensitivities of gay and lesbian travellers are becoming increasingly lucrative, and as a result, more important to tour operators all over the world.
Yet, while the Maldives' resorts have long attracted guests of varying sexuality, faiths, race and even accents from all over the world, experts suggest that it is currently unlikely the country will look to directly market itself to homosexual visitors or other orientations of guests.
Outside the desert island resorts that are perhaps most synonymous with the Maldives to the majority of the outside world; as a strictly Islamic nation, homosexuality is not permitted under local Maldivian law, much the same as consumption of alcohol.
But where do these regulations leave homosexual tourists keen for a touch of tropical escape in the increasingly popular Indian Ocean archipelago?
Marketing experts with experience of catering exclusively for homosexual travellers suggest that the Maldives' huge number of internationally-focused resorts can still very much cater for the diverse needs and expectations of gay and lesbian tourists.
Resort life in the country is very much separated from the country's day-to-day living - beyond special cultural events taking in local cuisine, dancing, and the traditional island sounds of "Bodu Beru". As a result of this separation, visitors of just about every creed and orientation have found themselves taking in the sun, sand and various other holiday activities within the Maldives' postcard-style seclusion.
Sim Mohamed, Secretary General of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) tells Maldives Traveller that beyond this clear divide between resorts and everyday Maldivian island life, which includes the capital Male', there are barriers in the differing cultural values of guest and locals.
"We have had some difficulties in looking to bring visitors to the country to get married, although this is a very popular service for many guests at the resorts," says Mohamed.
In considering these difficulties, resorts are currently unable to provide legally binding wedding ceremonies in the country, although a growing number of guests come for special ceremonies to renew their vows or have a blessing on an exotic beach, jungle or lagoon environment.
MATI says that when considering the encouraging of gay and lesbian tourists, it is unlikely that the country's tour operators would market themselves to guests in regards to specific sexuality.
However, despite the potential business difficulties created by this stance, marketing experts suggest that destinations like the Maldives are not without their appeal to gay, lesbian and bisexual travellers.
Ian Johnson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of specialist consultant group, Out Now, tells Maldives Traveller that while so-called "gay-friendly" marketing may be a beneficial addition for tour groups, individual customer service still remains key for any guest.
"In relation to the Maldives, this means that consumers will be more likely to stay at a certified welcoming resort or hotel," says Johnson.
Out Now specialises in devising marketing strategies specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) guests - a diverse group handily summed up in a simple acronym. The group says it is set to outline some market research it has recently conducted at major trade events such as the World Travel Market running in London between 8 -11 November.
The research, which Johnson claims is the largest study of its kind for LGBT consumers, takes in the views of people from over 20 different nations in regards to enjoying everything from safari and adventure travel, to eco-tourism.
Just like any other market place, Out Now points out that gay and lesbian travellers come from all walks of life and have tastes that are equally as varied; from the highest luxury to budget-friendly destinations.
"It is important to note that LGBT people are usually quite sensitive to local customs and cultural and religious norms and - as with most travellers - generally try to educate themselves on culturally acceptable modes of behaviour when they are visiting a location," says Johnson.
Out Now says that the responsibility in catering to such a diverse market falls down to an individual resort to ensure they are ultimately satisfying guests during their holiday; an area it hopes it can help some groups with.
"The number one concern that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have when they travel is whether or not they will be made to feel welcomed," says the consultancy. "Most travellers take it for granted that if they are paying a supplier for a leisure travel product, then [it will be] delivered in a way that is all about making the customer feel welcomed."
Out Now says that it therefore provides an online training package called, GayComfort, which it hopes can help train staff, in a variety of languages, of how best to ensure world-class customer service standards in terms of welcoming LGBT guests.
Yet, while the Maldives' resorts have long attracted guests of varying sexuality, faiths, race and even accents from all over the world, experts suggest that it is currently unlikely the country will look to directly market itself to homosexual visitors or other orientations of guests.
Outside the desert island resorts that are perhaps most synonymous with the Maldives to the majority of the outside world; as a strictly Islamic nation, homosexuality is not permitted under local Maldivian law, much the same as consumption of alcohol.
But where do these regulations leave homosexual tourists keen for a touch of tropical escape in the increasingly popular Indian Ocean archipelago?
Marketing experts with experience of catering exclusively for homosexual travellers suggest that the Maldives' huge number of internationally-focused resorts can still very much cater for the diverse needs and expectations of gay and lesbian tourists.
Resort life in the country is very much separated from the country's day-to-day living - beyond special cultural events taking in local cuisine, dancing, and the traditional island sounds of "Bodu Beru". As a result of this separation, visitors of just about every creed and orientation have found themselves taking in the sun, sand and various other holiday activities within the Maldives' postcard-style seclusion.
Sim Mohamed, Secretary General of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) tells Maldives Traveller that beyond this clear divide between resorts and everyday Maldivian island life, which includes the capital Male', there are barriers in the differing cultural values of guest and locals.
"We have had some difficulties in looking to bring visitors to the country to get married, although this is a very popular service for many guests at the resorts," says Mohamed.
In considering these difficulties, resorts are currently unable to provide legally binding wedding ceremonies in the country, although a growing number of guests come for special ceremonies to renew their vows or have a blessing on an exotic beach, jungle or lagoon environment.
MATI says that when considering the encouraging of gay and lesbian tourists, it is unlikely that the country's tour operators would market themselves to guests in regards to specific sexuality.
However, despite the potential business difficulties created by this stance, marketing experts suggest that destinations like the Maldives are not without their appeal to gay, lesbian and bisexual travellers.
Ian Johnson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of specialist consultant group, Out Now, tells Maldives Traveller that while so-called "gay-friendly" marketing may be a beneficial addition for tour groups, individual customer service still remains key for any guest.
"In relation to the Maldives, this means that consumers will be more likely to stay at a certified welcoming resort or hotel," says Johnson.
Out Now specialises in devising marketing strategies specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) guests - a diverse group handily summed up in a simple acronym. The group says it is set to outline some market research it has recently conducted at major trade events such as the World Travel Market running in London between 8 -11 November.
The research, which Johnson claims is the largest study of its kind for LGBT consumers, takes in the views of people from over 20 different nations in regards to enjoying everything from safari and adventure travel, to eco-tourism.
Just like any other market place, Out Now points out that gay and lesbian travellers come from all walks of life and have tastes that are equally as varied; from the highest luxury to budget-friendly destinations.
"It is important to note that LGBT people are usually quite sensitive to local customs and cultural and religious norms and - as with most travellers - generally try to educate themselves on culturally acceptable modes of behaviour when they are visiting a location," says Johnson.
Out Now says that the responsibility in catering to such a diverse market falls down to an individual resort to ensure they are ultimately satisfying guests during their holiday; an area it hopes it can help some groups with.
"The number one concern that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have when they travel is whether or not they will be made to feel welcomed," says the consultancy. "Most travellers take it for granted that if they are paying a supplier for a leisure travel product, then [it will be] delivered in a way that is all about making the customer feel welcomed."
Out Now says that it therefore provides an online training package called, GayComfort, which it hopes can help train staff, in a variety of languages, of how best to ensure world-class customer service standards in terms of welcoming LGBT guests.
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