Holidays are a time for relaxation, but even relaxation cannot escape the ruthless dictatorship of the clock. There are resorts in the Maldives that understand this paradox and act accordingly. Like? Deceive yourself. Then they switch to the country’s time zone. It sounds complicated, but in practice it’s very simple: hotel complexes, believing that this is the best way for their guests to enjoy their vacation to the fullest, move the hands of the clock at their own discretion. Even if this sets them apart from the rest of the world.

It sounds crazy, but it makes sense.

On vacation, rest… and programs. Paradoxical but true. Although holidays are designed to be a time for relaxation, they are not exempt from the logic of clocks. Planes wait for no one entrance And check out Just like restaurants, dining rooms and clubs, they have their own schedules and if you have a tour booked, you will probably miss it if you arrive too late. You also need to keep the hour hand in mind to enjoy the day. After all, even in the Caribbean, there is a limited amount of sunlight during the day.

If your time zone is not convenient for you… Create one, as some Maldivian resorts do. Realizing that even during holidays the clock continues to tick, there are hotel complexes in the archipelago that have decided to ask themselves the question: Why not make the hands of the clock move as you wish? Is it possible to adapt them to suit the needs of tourists? Such an idea would be crazy anywhere else on the planet, but it is more applicable in the tropical country of 1,200 islands and a strong dependence on tourism.

A good proof of this is that in the Maldives, as CNN explained in a recent report, this curious practice is followed by resorts that are governed by the so-called “island time”. What does it consist of? Very simple. They set their clocks at least one hour ahead of the country’s official time zone, which is governed by UTC+05:00. Some have reported that in the capital, Malé, some hotel complexes are as much as 120 minutes off schedule.

“Island Time.” “This intentional schedule change is more than just a travel quirk; it’s a thoughtful enhancement of the guest experience that responds to the diverse needs of our overseas visitors,” Mohit Dembla, general manager of JW Marriot Maldives, told CNN Resort & Spa. “The complex is part of the Marriott Group, along with three other properties spread across the islands. All are on Island Time.”

But why? Simple: To make things easier for your customers. The adjustment in the schedule is not exaggerated, but as Dembla assures, practice has shown that it “improves the experience” of tourists. For example, if the clock is moved forward, the distribution of daylight hours changes. The sun rises “later”, but also “extended” in the afternoon, and tourists can plan their day differently: if the sun rises at seven in the morning in Malé, the sun will rise at eight for resort guests, and if it sets in the capital, it will be set at eight, nine on the island.

The hours of sunlight and light are logically the same, but they are distributed differently. Something that can offer the guest more comfort. At the end of the day, it’s not about having more light, it’s about getting it at the best time. “With the sun rising at 7am and setting at 7:15pm, our guests are escaping the intense heat by enjoying perfectly timed daylight for early morning runs or evening sports,” says Charles Morris.

A sign of identification. Of course, the schedule that resorts follow is not official and is not recognized. In fact, “Island Time” is not even a common practice in the Maldives. There are establishments that decide to move the clocks one hour ahead of Malé, and there are those that do not. Those that do, argue that it is beneficial for travelers to enjoy better sunsets and activities.

Those who prefer to stick to the official time zone argue that manipulating the minute hand could confuse tourists or harm the quality of life of their own employees who travel from other parts of the country to work.

“They work according to their own rules”. The Maldives’ unique configuration of islands makes these clock games easy, no doubt. “Since most Maldives resorts are located on their own private islands, often miles off the coast of Malé, they tend to operate on their own terms,” says another resort. Travelers arrive on the islands via a seaplane that picks them up from the capital’s airport and have staff to help them adjust and organize their new schedule.

Interestingly enough, the truth is that this measure has been implemented in the Maldives for some time now, and there are other tourist destinations in the world that have revised their programs to get more sunlight and improve the quality of life of their neighbors… and in the process, give a special boost to their economy and attract tourists.

Images | Illia Panasenko (Unsplash) and Xtra, Inc. (Unsplash)

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