Vihamanafushi, Republic of Maldives -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/05/2012 -- Kurumba Maldives (http://www.kurumba.com/), the first resort in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives, celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year.
Opened by four young Maldivians on an uninhabited coconut plantation island in October 1972, Kurumba (it means coconut) marked the beginning of the tourist industry in the country. At that time the Maldives was isolated with limited contact with the outside world and no telephones, mains electricity or water, few vehicles and no paved roads, and only a small airstrip built by volunteers.
Kurumba began with 30 huts built of coral and thatched with coconut leaves; the first guests were barefoot backpackers in search of sand, sea and sun. Meals were prepared informally by the Maldivian hosts. Today the resort is still Maldivian owned and managed, with 180 luxurious accommodation units, including a Royal Residence, Presidential Suites and Pool Villas (http://www.kurumba.com/acc-pool.html), and eight gourmet-class restaurants.
About 1,000 tourists visited the island in 1972; in 2011 some 850,000 tourists stayed in over 100 resorts through the Maldives.
To commemorate the progress of Kurumba and tourism in the Maldives over 40 years, the resort has announced a photo competition with the closing date for submissions as 31 March 2012. Photographs should show some aspect of Kurumba during the past 40 years.
The prize for the winning photograph is a seven-night stay for up to two adults and 2 children at Kurumba Maldives in a Pool Villa, with daily champagne breakfast, dine around all inclusive meal plan, two Veli Spa signature treatments, a sunset cruise and return transfers between the resort and Male’ International Airport. Full details on www.facebook.com/kurumbamaldives
Submissions will be available from the 15th February 2012 and the competition will conclude on April 7th 2012. Due to legal requirements, entrants must be from the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, United States and D.C., Maldives, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
A series of events to celebrate the resort’s Ruby Anniversary will be held at Kurumba beginning on 27 September and culminating in a black tie dinner on 3 October 2012. Special packages for the anniversary week are available through reservations@kurumba.com
About Kurumba Maldives
Kurumba Maldives (http://www.kurumba.com/) is set on a tropical island in the North Male’ Atoll, conveniently situated a brief 10 minute speed boat ride from the airport. Dotted with coconut trees that are the island’s namesake, Kurumba was the first private island resort in the Maldives. Lush tropical gardens, white sandy beaches and a vibrant house reef are the hallmarks of this classic Maldivian resort.
The resort offers an array of eight styles of accommodation, ranging from comfortable Superior rooms to the spacious Royal Kurumba Residence (http://www.kurumba.com/acc-royal.html), spread amongst the island’s lush tropical gardens with easy access to the beach. With nine different restaurants to choose from Kurumba Maldives will charm you with its unparallel choice of dining experience and a wide range of recreation activities and entertainment. All while maintaining idyllic refuges and quiet spaces of relaxation to create the perfect balance for a holiday in paradise, perfect for honeymooners and family alike.
Kurumba Maldives … A true origin.