Tourism in small islands balances lives and livelihoods

Small island nations highly dependent on tourism like the Maldives were forced to close their borders during the pandemic to save lives, which then led to their livelihoods getting affected. — Asad Photo Maldives

Come visit the Maldives, its president entreated the world at this year’s United Nations General Assembly, moments before switching to an impassioned plea for help combating climate change.

The adjacent appeals illustrated a central dilemma for many small island developing states: Their livelihoods, or their lives?