The Plans of Maldives Become the First Country to Offer a Traveler Loyalty Program

According to CNN, Maldives won’t only be known for its grand airlines and luxurious hotels, but to be the first nation in the world to have its very own hospitality loyalty program. The Maldives Border Miles program is said to have three triers for incoming travelers in the country. Abaarana for the gold tier, Antara for the silver tier, and Aida for the Bronze tier. These three names were gotten out of the Indian Ocean nation’s primary local language Diveh. 

In a tweet posted by the official government-run Twitter account, Maldives Immigration announced the three-tier offer on September 28. The tweet stated that the Maldives Border Miles would have a three-tiered program for tourists entering the country. The program’s basis for tourists to earn points and raise their level would be through the duration of their stay or the number of visits they would make in the country. To earn bonuses, visitors would have to enter the country during special occasions or celebrations.

The Reopening of Borders

Questions arose, such us how travelers will react to this first of its kind initiative? A part of that would depend on how travel would look like after the whole COVID-19 pandemic. Maldives’ economy is known to rely on tourism and hospitalities heavily. Because of this, Maldives was one of the first countries in Asia to open its doors once again. Visitors slowly began returning after they opened their borders. 

The Potential of the Program

One travel agency expert claims that their plan could have long term potential. According to Scott Keyes, their program is one of the most beneficial moves by a country’s tourism board since Iceland’s free stopover en route to Europe plan. In his newsletter to CNN TRAVEL, he stated that most boards focus more on the aesthetic part of ad campaigns and Photoshopped pieces. The Maldives campaign, however, is unique and new combined. 

Although it isn’t clear how points will be accumulated and what kind of perks travelers will be receiving from the three categories. A representative from the Maldives tourism board told CNN TRAVEL that their projected time of implementation would on December 2020

The Indian Ocean’s plans for tourists 

Being a luxury destination, hotels in the Maldives can be pricey. But having a new point system could enable travelers to balance out their expenses and obtain various things such as upgrades, freebies, and discounts. The Caribbean Islands of Aruba, Anguilla, and Barbados also plan to improve tourism in their areas. These islands are willing to offer extended visas for people who want to work in a prettier and remote place. On the other hand, the Faroe Islands plan to set up a website wherein aspiring visitors could remote control over a local sightseer.