The Maldives is a long way away and, for some, it may seem out of reach.
But, even so, one Belgian found her way there and then fell in love with the place. So much so, in fact, that she made it her home.
Isabelle Gobert works as Cluster Assistant Director of Marketing & Communication at Niva Dhigali, one of the Maldives’ leading resort islands.
In an exclusive Q&A with this site, she shared her story of “life in paradise” and why she hopes more Belgians will follow in her footsteps.
Her reflections are timely: next year, the Maldives celebrates 50 years of tourism.
Q: Can you give a brief résumé of your Belgian background and connections?
Isabelle: I’m half Belgian—my father is Belgian and spent many years working abroad as an expat. Growing up, my parents shared a real love of travel, which definitely rubbed off on me. That passion eventually led me to the Maldives, where I’ve been working since 2023.
Q: What Belgian connections do you still retain, for example, via your family?
Isabelle: We have a family apartment on the Belgian coast that has been in the family for almost 50 years. My mum now lives there, so it’s where I go back whenever I visit Belgium—usually during the summer, of course, as I’m definitely more suited to tropical weather these days.
Q: Why is it that relatively few people from Belgium/Benelux visit the Maldives?
Isabelle: I think it’s largely a question of scale. Belgium is a relatively small country, and with so many holiday destinations available to travellers, the numbers naturally aren’t as high as some larger European markets. We do welcome Belgian guests at Niva Dhigali, but there’s certainly room to grow.
Q: Would you like to see the Maldives better marketed in Belgium/Benelux?
Isabelle: Absolutely. I think the Maldives has so much to offer Belgian travellers, and greater visibility in the market would encourage more people to discover that it’s much more than just a honeymoon destination. There’s something here for couples, families, adventure seekers and wellness travellers alike.
Q: How important is the European market to your company and the Maldives?
Isabelle: The European market has always been incredibly important to tourism in the Maldives. Historically, some of the very first international visitors were Italians, and Europe continues to be one of our strongest source markets. At Niva Dhigali, European guests represent a significant part of our business throughout the year.
Q: What impact has the Middle East conflict had on Maldivian tourism?
Isabelle: Like many destinations that rely on international travel, the biggest impact was on flight schedules, with cancellations and a temporary reduction in arrivals. Fortunately, we’re now seeing routes stabilise again, and several airlines are looking at expanding or introducing direct services to the Maldives, which is a very positive sign for the future.
Q: Would you like to see more direct flights to the Maldives from European capitals?
Isabelle: Definitely. More direct flights would make the Maldives even more accessible and make the journey feel much easier for European travellers. On a personal note, I’d certainly love to see a direct flight from Brussels—it would make visiting home a lot quicker!
Q: A new marine biology project is about to start in Dhigali. Can you briefly explain?
Isabelle: Niva Dhigali is a natural island, surrounded by a beautiful house reef, and although
Comments
20 responses to “The Maldives: Beyond a Honeymoon Destination”
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Fancy a trip to the Maldives? Sure, if you don’t mind a little detour through half the globe and your bank account crying for mercy! 😏✈️
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Seems like paradise is calling, but let’s be real—who needs a tropical getaway when you can enjoy a rainy day in Brussels? 🌧️✈️ #BelgianDreams
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Just what we need—a Belgian in the Maldives rebranding it as more than just a honeymoon hotspot. Next, she’ll be telling us how to enjoy a good waffle on the beach. 😂🏖️
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Seems like the Maldives is not just for lovebirds anymore; it’s the new hotspot for Belgians to escape their dreary weather and pretend they’re not just there for the Insta pics. Who knew paradise had room for more than just honeymooners and their selfie sticks? 😂✈️
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The Maldives, eh? Not just for starry-eyed honeymooners, but for those adventurous souls who fancy a bit of sand between their toes… after a long flight, of course. 😂 Talk about a detour from the Belgian coast!
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Looks like the Maldives is not just for lovebirds anymore; who knew paradise could also be a spot for Belgian expats to swap fries for fish? 🌴🍟 Just what we need, another reason to feel inadequate while sipping our coffee in the drizzle! 😏
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Looks like the Maldives has upgraded from just a honeymoon nest to a full-on playground for Belgians—next stop, a Belgian beer festival on the beach? 🍻🌴
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Fancy a trip to the Maldives? Just a hop, skip, and a 24-hour flight away! 😂 Perfect for those who enjoy a little adventure—like grappling with jet lag and overpriced cocktails. Cheers! 🍹✈️
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Fancy a jaunt to the Maldives, where the sun is always shining and your wallet gets a nice workout? 🤷♂️ I hear it’s not just for honeymooners—perfect if you fancy a dip in the ocean while your bank account takes a dive too! 💸🌊
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Isn’t it marvelous that while we Belgians are busy perfecting our chocolate and waffles, some adventurous soul has decided to trade it all for a beach and a tan in the Maldives? 🏖️ Who needs a cozy café when you can sip cocktails while dodging jellyfish, right? 🍹😏
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Not sure what’s more exotic, the Maldives or the idea of Belgians leaving their prized chocolate for a sunburn on a remote island. 🏝️🍫 But hey, if it means more direct flights, I’m all for it! 😂
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Taking a trip to the Maldives for “more than just honeymooning” is like using a Swiss Army knife to spread butter—sure, it’ll get the job done, but you might be missing the point entirely. 🌴✈️
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Spent all that dosh on a ticket to the Maldives, just to realize they don’t have a single waffle stand? 😂 But hey, who needs a decent Belgian beer when you’ve got paradise, right? 🍻🏝️
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Taking the plunge to live in the Maldives—what a novel idea! I mean, who wouldn’t want to swap the dreary Belgian winter for a cheeky little slice of paradise? 🤷♂️🏝️
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Fancy a trip to the Maldives? It’s the perfect spot to reconsider your life choices while lounging in a paradise that’s just a hop, skip, and a ridiculously long flight away from your cozy Belgian flat. 🇧🇪✈️🌴
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the Maldives isn’t just for lovebirds, I suppose it’s nice to know that even Belgian expats can find their “paradise” while dodging the rain back home. 🌧️🌴
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Who knew paradise had such a talent for attracting Belgians? 🤷♂️ I guess when you’ve had enough of rainy days and waffles, a little slice of sun and sand isn’t too far-fetched, eh? 🌴💼
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Diving into the Maldives for a holiday? Quite the leap from the Belgian coast, innit? 🌴🏖️ But hey, who wouldn’t want to swap mussels for coral reefs?😏
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Isn’t it just adorable how someone can uproot from Belgium, the land of chocolate and waffles, to a place where the only question is whether your piña colada is cold enough? 🌴🍹 Cheers to finding ‘life in paradise’ while most of us are still playing hide-and-seek with our socks in the laundry! 😏
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If you thought the Maldives were just for honeymooning lovebirds, think again! It’s like selling the Eiffel Tower as just a really tall piece of metal—there’s a whole world of adventure waiting for anyone brave enough to fly that far for some sun! 🏝️✈️
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