The Maldives continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading luxury and experiential travel destinations, with more than 7,000 new tourist beds established across the country during the past two years, according to Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim. The expansion reflects the steady growth of the nation’s tourism sector and the ongoing development of new accommodation facilities and visitor services aimed at supporting increasing international travel demand.
Minister Thoriq Ibrahim stated that the tourism industry has experienced notable growth in both infrastructure and service offerings, with several new establishments registered across different segments of the sector. Over the past two years, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment registered six new resorts, 23 liveaboard vessels, three hotels, 216 guesthouses, 54 dive centres, 58 homestays and 422 travel agencies. These additions demonstrate the continued diversification of the Maldives tourism landscape, which now caters to a broad range of travel preferences, from luxury island resorts to locally operated guesthouses and immersive marine tourism experiences.
Efforts by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment to expand accommodation capacity have resulted in a significant increase in the number of beds available for international visitors. During the two-year period, 1,554 new beds were added in resorts, 503 beds in liveaboards, 708 beds in hotels, 4,062 beds in guesthouses and 368 beds in homestays. These developments highlight the balanced growth across both high-end resort tourism and community-based tourism initiatives, which have become an important component of the Maldives’ tourism model.
Official data from the Ministry indicates that the total number of tourist beds available in the Maldives reached 67,475 by the end of last year, compared with 63,248 beds recorded in 2024. With the registration of 7,195 additional beds last year, the total number of tourist beds currently in service across the country has increased to 68,244. This steady expansion of accommodation capacity supports the Maldives’ strategy to accommodate rising visitor arrivals while maintaining the quality of services that the destination is internationally known for.
Resort development continues to play a central role in the growth of the tourism sector. In 2025, six new resorts commenced operations, increasing the total number of operational resorts in the Maldives to 186. These resorts collectively provide 45,009 beds, representing the largest share of accommodation capacity within the country’s tourism industry. Resorts remain a defining feature of the Maldivian tourism experience, offering visitors private island settings, world-class hospitality, marine recreation, wellness experiences and environmentally conscious luxury.
New resort developments also contribute to the expansion of tourism infrastructure across different atolls, creating employment opportunities, supporting local supply chains and strengthening economic activity within surrounding island communities. Modern resort projects frequently integrate sustainable design, renewable energy initiatives and marine conservation programmes, reflecting the Maldives’ broader commitment to responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
Alongside resort development, guesthouse tourism has also continued to grow and has contributed a substantial share of the newly added accommodation capacity. Guesthouses have become an increasingly popular option for travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences and closer engagement with local communities. The addition of thousands of beds within the guesthouse sector highlights the important role that community-based tourism plays in expanding the Maldives’ tourism economy while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
The continued development of liveaboard vessels, dive centres and travel agencies further supports the Maldives’ reputation as one of the world’s premier marine tourism destinations. With its rich coral reef ecosystems, abundant marine biodiversity and internationally recognised dive sites, the Maldives attracts divers, snorkellers and ocean enthusiasts from around the globe. The expansion of these services enhances the overall visitor experience while reinforcing the country’s position as a global leader in ocean-based tourism.
The growth of tourism infrastructure across multiple sectors reflects the sustained confidence of investors and industry stakeholders in the Maldives as a resilient and highly desirable travel destination. As the country continues to welcome travellers from around the world, the expansion of accommodation facilities and tourism services is expected to further strengthen the Maldives’ ability to offer diverse, high-quality experiences while supporting long-term economic growth and sustainable development across the islands.
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