Maldives tourism industry posts annual growth of 7.7 % for five years

By P.K. Balachandran 

The Maldives’ tourism industry has seen year-on-year growth of 7.7% over the last five-year period with no less than 27 resorts opening since 2013.

Added to this impressive tally, there are plans to open another 23 resorts in 2018 and 2019, the Maldivian Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer said.

Among those to come are the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Maldives and the Italian-designed Baglioni Resort Maldives with its 96 elegant villas and gourmet dining.

In early 2018 the LUX North Malé Atoll resort will open, offering tourists penthouse residences, luxury yachts and sweeping ocean views. Also in line are Riu Hotels, Pullman, Mövenpick Resorts & Spa and Atmosphere at Sangeli.

Zameer said that the “Visit Maldives” initiative had been very successful, resulting in a 6.8% growth in tourist arrivals in 2017.

These resort projects are in line with the President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s goal to develop 50 new resorts within his five-year term, generating 18,000 new job opportunities, the Minister said.

Maldives has won a number of prestigious awards for excellence in the tourism sector. Recent awards include the coveted Condé Nast Traveller ‘Best Islands for places to stay award’ as well as Best in Travel’s ‘Best Holiday Destination’, where it came second overall in Asia.

The Maldives was awarded three World Travel Awards: the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination’, the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination’ and the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination’. The Maldives also scooped the Reader’s Choice Dive and Travel Awards 1st prize for best ‘Dreaming Area’.

Commenting on the multiple awards, Minister Zameer said:  “It is such a privilege and an honor to win these prestigious awards. These awards are a symbol of admiration and acceptance of the Maldives by the visitors, and a great achievement for the joint efforts and hard work done by the government and the tourism industry of the Maldives. We will strive to further improve and expand our destination, while maintaining our brand positioning. The Maldives will remain a unique destination.”