Mohamed Umar Maniku, widely known as MU Maniku, a co-founder of Kurumba Maldives and one of the pioneers of the Maldives tourism industry, died at 78 at 6:30 am local time on Saturday while undergoing treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.
Maniku helped establish Kurumba Maldives in 1972, the country’s first resort. The 30-room property in Kaafu Atoll marked the beginning of the Maldives’ tourism industry, which has since become the backbone of the nation’s economy.
He later became chairman of Universal Enterprises, one of the Maldives’ largest tourism groups, which operates several luxury resorts including Kurumba Maldives, Velassaru Maldives, Baros Maldives, Kuramathi Maldives, Kandolhu Maldives, Dhigali Maldives, Milaidhoo Maldives and Huvafen Fushi.
Maniku was also a founding member and long-time chairman of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), established in 1982 to represent and promote the interests of private tourism businesses.
In addition to his private sector work, he served as chairman of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which operates Velana International Airport, for about a decade. He resigned from the post in January 2024 citing health reasons.
His contributions to tourism were recognised with national honours, including the Public Service Award in the field of tourism, the Independence 25 Public Service Award and the National Award of Honour. He was also recognised on the 50th anniversary of Maldives tourism in 2022 for his role in establishing the industry.
In a statement announcing his death, MATI said, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Chairman, Mr. Mohamed Umar Maniku. Words simply cannot do justice to the immense and pioneering work he dedicated to establishing tourism in our beloved country and the extraordinary heights we have achieved under his visionary leadership. He put the Maldives on the world map and helped transform our nation into the world-class destination we are today.”
The statement added that Maniku “had the biggest of hearts and loved his country above all else” and that his “unwavering passion for the Maldives and its people was evident in every decision he made and every initiative he championed.”
“Since MATI’s inception, he has been at our helm, guiding us with wisdom, dedication, and an unshakeable belief in our potential,” the organisation said. “Our organisation and the entire tourism industry will truly never be the same without his presence, and his legacy will live on in every milestone we achieve. He will be forever missed, but never forgotten.”
Maniku is survived by his wife and two children.
The funeral will be held at the Prasara Aman Mosque in Singapore after Asr prayers today. A Salat al-Ghaib (funeral prayer in absentia) will also be held at the Malé Islamic Centre after the Asru prayer.