Universal Enterprises is the pioneering force that transformed the Maldives from obscurity into one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations, while actively diversifying across industries and service sectors. In the 1960s, an international development survey claimed the Maldives unsuitable for tourism. Few would have disagreed: the pristine archipelago was indisputably breathtaking, but with little national infrastructure to speak of. Nonetheless, a handful of like-minded entrepreneurs believed otherwise They could not have predicted the extent to which the Maldives would grow as a tourist magnet, but their bold initiative jump-started the development path that has placed the island nation on the map as one of the most desired travel destinations in the world.
Born as a travel specialist, powered by a strong entrepreneurial spirit. As a small band of entrepreneurs, we piloted tourism in the Maldives in 1972, hosting the first-ever organized group tour to the islands and building its first resorts in the following month. Flash forward 35 years; from a group of localized travel specialist to a diversified conglomerate employing close to 5100 individuals, Universal Enterprises has become as fundamental a presence in the Maldives tourism and travel landscapes as the powder white sands of the islands, with numerous business encompassing several industries from travel services to trading, manufacturing, and real estate. Universal Enterprises continues to be a pivotal force, creating dynamic resorts, developing human resources, and promoting sustainable tourism.