ISLAND INSIGHTS: EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH TOURISM
We have once again invited Elisa Spampinato from Traveller Storyteller to curate a series of engaging interviews that delve into the lives of the remarkable individuals who play pivotal roles in the delivery of our immersive tours. Previously, Elisa has chatted with two of our most experienced tour leaders, skillfully capturing and sharing their inspiring stories that bring to light the passion and dedication woven into every aspect of our unique travel experiences.
This new series of interviews will focus on a number of our valuable partners, who along with our amazing tour leaders form the backbone of Secret Paradise. Together, they forge the essence of our unparalleled travel experiences, and without their unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit, we would not be able to weave the intricate tapestry of memorable journeys that define our brand.
Many of them you will meet in the local communities we visit during your Maldives tour; others you might never meet in person, however, thanks to them, it is possible to achieve so many impactful results. We would like to celebrate their passion, efforts and success with you by providing a spotlight on their valuable work.
Over to Elisa!
SAY HELLO TO HAJJA & SHAHEEM
A few months ago on a Sunday afternoon, I connected virtually with the delightful couple, Hajja and her husband, Shaheem. With a decade of business acumen under their belts, they became integral members of Secret Paradise’s supply chain five years ago. Proud owners and managers of two local island guesthouses in the Maldives—Dream Inn Sun Beach Hotel in Thulusdhoo and Fins Dive and Leisure Hotel in Rasdhoo, Hajja and Shaheem have woven their passion into the vibrant fabric of Secret Paradise island experiences. Now, I am thrilled to share their stories, reflections, and insights that emerged from the inspiring conversation we shared that day.
WHERE DID THEIR JOURNEY BEGIN?
Their entrepreneurial journey started from a specific kind of frustration. It was all generated by seeing tourists – especially surfers – queuing to get to those few well-known spots in the Maldives, only for a short stay, then returning home unaware of the other dozen paradisiac spots where their surfing skills could be challenged in a less crowded space.
Without any local places to stay, the visitors’ options were limited to what he referred to as ‘safari boats’, which take visiting groups to the same places, at the same time, for the same length of time. For obvious reasons, everything is carefully pre-arranged, the itinerary is standard and the variety is limited.
By making more guesthouse accommodation available to adventurous, sporty visitors, Hajja and Shaheem were allowing the explorers of the Maldivian waters to stay longer and, ‘discover a greater range of locations for their sports activities, but also, be freer to explore more’. I was interested in that ‘more’, so I kept asking to find out what that word was hiding.
He believed that their sense of free movement had been limited to what was planned and, as a consequence, they were missing out on many natural surf spots that remained hidden and unexplored. By chatting with Shaheem, it became clear to me that there was more at stake: this feeling that Shaheem perceived, the lack of freedom, was much more than an annoying limitation, it was was palpable. I believe he saw it as an unmet need, perhaps, something that is so deeply embedded under the skin of island inhabitants and, in general, those who live in strict connection with nature. It must have felt like an unfair constriction, along with the knowledge that that situation was contributing to disseminating a limited image of his country abroad.
From that perception came the decision to build a local style property for guests – not a hotel in the traditional sense, but a local home where visiting surfers could not only discover the nearby surf points of Cokes and Chickens but could experience genuine Maldivian hospitality in relaxed Maldivian style surroundings.
ADDING LOCAL NUANCES TO THE EXPERIENCE
The development of local island tourism some 12 years ago, is what attracted the attention of Ruth and Secret Paradise. The unique aspect of guesthouse accommodation nestled within local islands, immersed in the heart of vibrant communities, became the catalyst for providing Secret Paradise’s travelers with an inherently distinct and enriching experience. An experience which aligns seamlessly with the pillars of responsible tourism that define the ethos of the company.
Travelers stroll through communities inhabited by Maldivians who are going about their daily activities. On their way to the local café, guests might cross paths with the fishermen coming back from their boats with their catch; or pass in front of local houses where the ladies are smoking tuna fish in the traditional way, while socialising with their neighbours. They will see people get together to clean the roads with the traditional eakle-brush, made from coconut fronds. They might also notice people playing bashi – a local game, which Shaheem describes as ‘similar to tennis, but much harder since it is played over the head’.
MEET ME IN THE KITCHEN
Shaheem’s kind and friendly wife, Hajja, confesses with a delicate pleasure that her favourite moment is when she cooks for the guests. ‘Cooking our authentic Maldivian food for them and seeing the reaction on their faces, it is fulfilling for me’. I detect a sense of pride in her words, which emanates a halo of warm hospitality around her. ‘To see that they like to taste the different flavours of our cuisine, and that they enjoy it, encourages me to continue to do it and keep sharing my culture with them’, she adds.
In travel, food is never just about the food itself, especially when it concerns the preparation and making processes. It is about the personal connection that becomes a solid step for meaningful cultural encounters between people.
‘What do you think is the critical element of this kind of tourism?’, I asked her. ‘It is the time we spend with them,’ she replied with no hesitation.
I dare to add that it is also about the quality of the time that hosts and guests spend together that makes this kind of experience so special. It is an often-mentioned fact that homestays and locally owned guesthouses allow a deeper bond between the host and guest because it allows for a much more personal and human interaction.
The kitchen is probably the most active and intense area in every house, and for Hajja it has also been the place that has nourished new relationships. Among the loud laughter and attentive gazes, pandan leaves are added to curries but also to the desserts, enriching the dish with their unique sweet taste.
In the same way, other ingredients are added together to create less tangible but even stronger, nourishing results. ‘When my friends are around, most of the time they are in the kitchen behind me, watching me cooking and doing it with me,’ Hajja remembers. ‘We always have a great time when we spend time together’.
For this reason, I wasn’t surprised when Hajja disclosed that she has established a few true long-term personal relationships with some of the guests, over the years. In particular, two ladies from two different countries of origin, two different friendship stories, which both sprouted from their stays and flourished in Hajja’s kitchen.
Since Lucy – a former Italian employee of Alitalia – first came to visit the guesthouse on holiday with seven other female friends, many years ago, Hajja is often greeted by a new guest with a warm, ‘Hi, I’m Lucy’s friend’. There are many examples where physical distance doesn’t matter, and I know it doesn’t for Hajja either, especially when I see that full smile appearing on her face when she says, ‘She is a good friend of mine, from far, far away!’ Olga, from Moscow, on the other hand, has visited Hajja religiously twice a year since 2015 with her mum, even if it’s only for a short stay.
Continue reading this inspiring conversation that Elisa had with Hajja and Shaheem HERE.
