I have done many tours literally around the world, but this tour was one of the best tours I’ve ever had, and here’s why: They truly care about the environment. My guide Archie was honest, on time, responsive, educated, and genuinely passionate about preserving the Maldives. He was perfect for the job
Our Aim
Sustainable and Responsible tourism has been an integral part of our business model since 2012. We are mindful of ensuring we promote local tourism in line with Maldivian culture and traditions. Through education of our team, our guests and locals, we aim to protect the environment and limit where ever possible any negative impact to local life.
As a team we aim to inspire, inform and demonstrate to our partners, our guests and the tourism industry as a whole, that we are committed to ensuring we offer only responsible and positive travel experiences.
We believe that people, communication and education are the foundation of Sustainable Tourism. This is the reason that we have built our business on four communities:
– Our Guests
– Our Team
– Local Islanders
– NGO and charity organizations
We understand that success requires focus, adaption and long-term thinking. Change does not often happen overnight but is a gradual process, but surely in a destination such as the Maldives it is our responsibility to make that difference.
OUR GUESTS
By traveling with Secret Paradise and staying in local island guest houses, buying locally made souvenirs and eating local produce, our guests are contributing to the local economy and increasing local employment.
Our tours are designed so that our guests not only experience the natural beauty and participate in activities commonly associated with the Maldives, but that they also have the opportunity to learn about its people and culture first hand.
Every tour is a learning experience providing our guests information on corals, marine life, seagrass, mangroves and what happens to plastic. All delivered through conversation, presentations and hands on experiences provided by our local guides.
OUR TEAM
With the exception of Co-Founder, Ruth, the Secret Paradise team are all Maldivian. We provide flexible working conditions, a fair wage, additional employment benefits, as well as coaching and development opportunities for all our team.
Our team also achieve personal development through interaction with guests from different cultures and backgrounds and have the opportunity to participate in tour leader development programs available through our international partners.
Our work place ethics and the positive inclusive environment we strive to maintain is supported by the longevity of service, loyalty and commitment our team demonstrate.
Our team are passionate about sharing their country’s culture, history, and tradition, as well as their own personal experiences. Between them they have years of local knowledge and expertise to share.
LOCAL ISLANDERS
The properties we partner are owned by locals and in many cases family members are instrumental in the day-to-day running of the guest house.
We choose to work with carefully selected properties in order to build mutually beneficial relationships, allowing us to support them in areas such as business management and marketing, to them supporting us in our sustainable tourism goals.
Our approach of partnering or contracting local businesses, local suppliers and island families ensures a direct positive economic impact on the community.
We work with property partners, local schools and the community to conduct beach cleans and tree planting, ensuring we are making a positive contribution to their home environment.
Listen to Ruth, co-founder of Secret Paradise, talk about supporting local communities through tourism with the Truth Behind Travel podcast host, Dolores Semeraro.
NGO & CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS
Many NGOs and marine charity organizations work selflessly, fostering community-focused conservation initiatives in the Maldives. We seek out ways to increase their exposure to a wider audience and provide opportunities to interact with our guests.
Through this collaboration our guests can become actively involved in conservation programs and learn how they can be responsible during their stay in the Maldives.
Many of our tours include a financial contribution to the organization who assist us in hosting the experience.
THE FUTURE
As a result of our ongoing commitment to sustainable travel and tourism, in 2024 Secret Paradise Maldives was awarded Travelife Partner level the aim to achieve Travelife Certification Level by the end of 2026.
Not only is this an opportunity to showcase that our sustainable credentials are more than just words, but it is also an opportunity for us to learn and implement new sustainable business practices.
Once achieved, certification is renewed regularly to ensure we are maintaining our sustainability activities and provides clear verification for our guests, suppliers and community.
Founded in 2007, the Travelife is an initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable practices within the travel and tourism industry. Travelife aims to offer travel and tourism companies the knowledge, solutions and tools to implement positive change within their businesses and their supply chain.
SECRET PARADISE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM POLICY
Having created an immersive style of travel in a destination famed for its luxury resorts, we have always believed it is also our responsibility to ensure our local travel experiences in the Maldives are ethical, inclusive, and responsible.
Our Sustainable Tourism Policy created in 2014 was built around a few key principals that could be followed through and kept alive and from which we could build a firm foundation.
Over time our policy has developed, grown and progressed, but has always remained focused on the three pillars of sustainability – environmental responsibility, social responsibility and economic responsibility.
Our Policy
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
We aim to ensure that the experiences and environments we share with our guests, both above and below the ocean, can be encountered not just once, but also by future generations of Maldivians and travelers.
- We minimize our environmental impact and offset our emissions through Travel Net Zero.
- Since 2021 we have chosen not to offer day tours that travel beyond the atoll in which we are based in order to minimize our emissions.
- We minimize the use of resources – energy and water, in our office and educate and encourage our guests to minimize their usage during their stay.
- We encourage our guests to deal with waste appropriately, to lead by example and where possible take non-recyclable waste home.
- We encourage all our guests to bring their own reusable water bottle and have our own branded bottles to distribute.
- We partner Parley Maldives, allowing us to intercept plastic waste during our tours and send for recycling, which prevents it from entering the ocean or being disposed of in a destructive way.
- Through our Sustainable Partner Group we encourage our suppliers and partners to adopt more sustainable practices.
- Through learning experiences with our guides we provide guest awareness on corals, marine life, seagrass, mangroves, waste management and plastic pollution.
- We brief all guests participating in snorkeling activities on the Green Fins Code of Conduct, this improves their knowledge on what they can do to help protect the ocean and coral reefs.
- We follow Code of Conducts produced by international marine organizations when encountering manta rays, whale sharks and turtles while snorkeling and diving.
- We collaborate with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program, a charity founded to learn more about the life cycle, population dynamics and habitat usage of the Maldives whale shark population. This enables us to educate our team, provide guests with marine education and spread the importance of whale sharks.
- Since 2021 we have committed to introducing new products in less popular or well know areas of the Maldives where there are less tourists.
- We actively advocate for environmental responsibility and regulations to safeguard the Maldives’ natural resources.
- Operating in a destination that is 99% ocean, in 2023 we created a dedicated marine life-focused policy to protect and conserve the delicate marine ecosystems.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We aim to create positive and meaningful exchanges between our guests and the local communities in which we operate. Meeting local people and experiencing the Maldives through the eyes of our Maldivian guides allows guests to connect with the real Maldives and enhance their trip.
- We observe local customs and culture.
- We respect the Islamic faith and the rituals and festivals associated with it.
- We respect local dress standards and cultural requirements.
- We educate our guests and agents through pre trip information and in country briefings.
- We encourage guests to learn basic greetings in Dhivehi the local language.
- We ensure our tours include opportunities to engage with locals and learn about the local way of life.
- We observe basic human rights and support an individual’s right to be treated with equality, freedom and respect both in and outside of the workplace.
ECONOMIC RESPONSIBILITY
We aim to ensure revenue generated remains within the Maldives to provide a positive impact on the local economy and put profits into local hands so that individuals and local communities can benefit directly.
- We provide employment and business opportunities for local people.
- We coach and develop Maldivian youth through work experience programs to widen their career opportunities.
- We use locally owned and operated infrastructure and source services developed and managed by locals.
- We choose not to have our own fleet of vehicles and vessels and to use local public transport and when this is not possible to use private locally owned transport.
- We support social enterprises, local trade, arts and crafts artisans and encourage our guests to visit them.
- We encourage the purchase of sustainable and locally produced goods rather than imported products.
- We pay relevant taxes and do not engage in any form of bribery, corruption or fraudulent activities.
- We comply with all laws, regulations and guidelines in the Maldives.
- We support local NGOs and charitable organizations and work with them on projects that care for the community or environment through fundraising, advocacy or awareness.
- We encourage our supplier base to be involved in decision making and sustainable development through our Partner Sustainable Group.
For up-to-date information on our responsible and sustainable actions and initiatives please join our Facebook page and connect to our blog.
For further information or to request to view individual policies or Standard Operating Practices please contact us.
Make a Difference in the Places You Travel
When you travel to far out places you often receive generous and gracious hospitality from local people, even when they don’t have much themselves.
We believe we have a moral obligation to give something back to the people who live in the communities that we visit. It is simply the right thing to do to help people who struggle with basic needs for food, water, housing, health, and safety.
How? We support the World Nomads Footprints program to fund local community projects to end poverty.
You Can Help Too!
When you buy travel insurance(opens in a new tab) through WorldNomads.com, simply choose a project to support. Simply use this promotional code, when you get a quote and your small donation will have a positive effect on this community.
Our Aim
Responsible tourism plays a very large part in what we do. We are mindful of ensuring we promote local tourism in line with Maldivian culture and traditions. Through education of both guests and locals, we aim to protect the environment and limit where ever possible any negative impact to local life.
We are committed to informing and demonstrating to our competitors, our team, our partners, and ultimately our guests that we are committed to following social and environmental best practices.
Listen to Ruth, co-founder of Secret Paradise, talk about supporting local communities through tourism with the Truth Behind Travel podcast host, Dolores Semeraro.
By traveling with Secret Paradise and staying in local island guest houses, you are contributing to the local economy and increasing local employment. The properties we partner with are run by local island families where everyone is instrumental in the day-to-day running of the guest house.
Buying locally-made souvenirs and eating local produce means that the area’s farmers and small businesses benefit. We recommend souvenir shops in Male that are off the main tourist route, where you have the opportunity to buy locally crafted products as opposed to the imported souvenirs that are sold in standard tourist souvenir shops. We attend and support local art and craft exhibitions and will take you along if an event happens during your visit.
We provide employment, good working conditions, a fair wage, and coaching and development opportunities for our local employees. Our guides are all Maldivian. Not only does this ensure you get a real insight into Maldivian life, but our guides also achieve personal development through their interaction with guests from different cultures and backgrounds.
You travel the Maldives with one of our local guides who between them have years of local knowledge and expertise to share. They are passionate about sharing their country’s culture, history, and tradition, as well as their own personal experiences.
Our tours are designed so that you not only experience the natural beauty and participate in activities commonly associated with the Maldives, but that you also have the opportunity to learn about its people and culture first hand.
Ecotourism and sustainable tourism have always been an integral part of our philosophy and part of our mission statement. As we have grown we have looked for opportunities where we can support local initiatives. We seek out ways to open up channels to allow Maldives-based organizations, NGOs, and marine-life charities the opportunity to interact with you, our guests, and in so doing increase their exposure to a wider audience. You can become actively involved in conservation programs and learn how you too can be responsible during your stay in the Maldives.
All our guests participating in ocean-based activities including swimming and snorkeling are briefed using the Green Fins Guidelines on how to be responsible in the water.
We regularly support clean-up events, tree planting, and educational events for the community. In 2018 we launched #STRAWWARMV to encourage our partners to ditch the straw and in 2019 we pledged our support to #protectmaldivesseagrass educating our team and guests on the benefits of seagrass to the environment.
Our Policy
Economic Responsibility
We use locally owned and operated infrastructure:
- To help put profits into local hands in order that they can benefit directly
- To use services developed and managed by locals
We provide employment and business opportunities for local people
- All our guides are locals.
- With the exception of the sales director, our operations team are all local people.
- To assist in coaching and development of individuals to widen their experience and career opportunities.
We support local charities and organizations
- We encourage our guests to contribute any remaining local currency at the end of their trip to our nominated charity for that year – ARC Children’s Home.
- We support local charities through sponsorship by individuals for members of the team participating in fundraising events – ARC Children’s Home.
- We raise awareness of local initiatives through our social media sites.
Social Responsibility
We respect local customs and culture
- We want our guests to learn about local customs and cultural practices whilst respecting local dress and cultural requirements.
- It is a practice on all tours to teach basic local language and this is included on our welcome leaflet.
- Our scheduled group tours include the opportunity to eat at the home of a local family and sample local cuisine, eating in local style without the aid of cutlery.
- We provide guests with pre-trip information to ensure they understand the requirements of traveling to a locally inhabited island. We also advise them to visit their appropriate Foreign Office website to encourage awareness of social unrest or government requirements.
- A local guide accompanies our scheduled group trips from the time of arrival to departure.
- A local Secret Paradise partner representative is based at each of the guesthouses with whom we work.
For up-to-date information on our responsible and sustainable actions and initiatives please join our Facebook page and connect to our blog.
Make a Difference in the Places You Travel
When you travel to far out places you often receive generous and gracious hospitality from local people, even when they don’t have much themselves.
We believe we have a moral obligation to give something back to the people who live in the communities that we visit. It is simply the right thing to do to help people who struggle with basic needs for food, water, housing, health, and safety.
How? We support the World Nomads Footprints program to fund local community projects to end poverty.
You Can Help Too!
When you buy travel insurance(opens in a new tab) through WorldNomads.com, simply choose a project to support. Simply use this promotional code, when you get a quote and your small donation will have a positive effect on this community.
Our Guests Are Always Right
Dave Trucker
It was a really insightful look at the culture and environment of the Maldives, which was a world away from all inclusive luxury resorts. I learnt a lot about reefs and the huge climate and plastic challenges facing the islands. All in all, the guides and people in the group made it a lot of fun, the sea and sea life were stunning and I came back more relaxed than I’ve been for years!
Marta Marinelli
One of the most unforgettable travel experiences to date. There is a whole other side to the Maldives that can and should be explored, far away from the outdated resorts holiday which produce unfair tourism leakages. Being able to experience the local islands, and the impact that local responsible travel can have on local communities and their fragile islands ecosystem was truly inspiring.
Shannon R
TripAdvisor Reviews
I could not have done this trip without Secret Paradise! As tourism outside of resorts, is relatively new to the Maldives, logistics/transfers/directions are still a bit unclear.
Kjell-Edmund
TripAdvisor Reviews
Our first trip to the Maldives was a huge success, thanks to Secret Paradise Maldives Tours. A huge thank you to Ruth for being very responsive and informative prior to us booking the trip and excursions!
Peter B
TripAdvisor Reviews
Secret Paradise made this a very special day for my husband and me and we really appreciated it. I would highly recommend them to anyone going to the Maldives.
RitaStrydom
TripAdvisor Reviews
What a perfect day. Shaa was waiting at the tender boat pier for us and took us directly to our boat and off the sandbank.
Castilloalex
TripAdvisor Reviews
We stayed on Dhiffushi and had dinner with a local family. It was such a cool experience and something totally different. We left giving big hugs to the entire family and kids.
