TO GO WITH 'Maldives-economy-tourism' This picture taken 17 August 2007 shows the wooden entrance leading to the Coco Palm resort on the Boduhithi Island, Maldives. Holiday goers pay up to 1,500 dollars for a night at this resort mostly to sleep in luxurious thatched roof bungalows built over crystal clear lagoon. The Maldives is celebrating the 35th anniversary since its first two resorts opened and a growing breed of tourists splash out for a slice of paradise on the remote islands. The 600,000 visitors who jet here each year rarely see the congested capital Male. Once they clear the airport island, they are whisked off by speedboat or seaplane to resorts. Home to 300,000 Sunni Muslims, the Islamic Republic of the Maldives has relaxed rules in the resorts where alcohol is served, unlike in the capital island where it is prohibited. Presently, 89 islands have luxury resorts, with occupancy rates averaging 95 percent. The government last year opened 51 new islands for a combination of resort and airport development. AFP PHOTO/Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)
