Pioneer of Maldives tourism George Corbin has launched a book on the history of the country's hospitality industry.
The book called Two Thousand Enchanted Islands was written by George Corbin and photographer Francesco Benin in 1972 during their visit to the Maldives with the first group of tourists to visit the country. The updated version of the book was launched at a special ceremony in Sultan Park, during which Corbin had given out signed copies of the books to attendants.
Speaking at the ceremony, Corbin said he has felt a special kinship to Maldivians during his visits to the country.
Also at the ceremony, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem, who worked with Corbin in introducing tourism to the country, noted the book was launched as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Maldives tourism this year.
Corbin is a tourism and restaurant industry consultant who had greatly contributed to the introduction of tourism to the Maldives. He first visited the Maldives in 1971 as an Italian travel agent with Minister Naseem to review the potential of introducing tourism in the country. He then visited in 1972 with a group consisting of 12 Italian tourists, marking it the first time tourists visited the Maldives.