More than 900,000 international tourists visiting the Maldives so far this year selected resort properties for their holidays, reaffirming the resort sector’s position as the leading accommodation segment within the country’s globally recognised tourism industry.
Official statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation show that 902,228 tourists stayed at resorts as of 1 August 2026. This represented 73.1 percent of the more than 1.2 million tourists recorded during the period, demonstrating the continued international demand for the Maldives’ distinctive private-island resort experience.
Across all visitor categories, the Maldives recorded a daily average of 5,924 arrivals. The sustained flow of travellers reflects the destination’s strong international visibility and its ability to attract visitors from diverse global markets throughout the year.
The Maldives currently has 179 operational resorts distributed across 19 atolls, providing 45,115 operational tourist beds. Resorts account for approximately 66 percent of the country’s total operational accommodation capacity, equivalent to around two-thirds of all beds available within the national tourism sector.
The scale and geographical reach of the resort industry provide international travellers with a broad selection of holiday experiences across the Maldivian archipelago. Properties range from exclusive private-island retreats and internationally managed luxury resorts to family-oriented destinations and experience-focused island properties serving different traveller preferences and market segments.
Maldivian resorts continue to distinguish the destination through beachfront and overwater accommodation, access to clear lagoons and coral reefs, high standards of personalised service, distinctive architecture and carefully designed island environments. These characteristics have strengthened the Maldives’ international reputation as a premium destination where privacy, natural beauty and professional hospitality are brought together within a single island setting.
The resort sector also remains an important contributor to the wider national economy by supporting employment, investment, aviation demand, maritime transport and domestic supply chains. Its continued strength benefits businesses and service providers operating across food supply, construction, logistics, fisheries, transportation and locally produced goods.
Although resorts maintained a clear lead, the figures also highlighted the growing diversity of the Maldives’ accommodation sector. Local guesthouses hosted 277,894 tourists during the reporting period, while hotels accommodated 29,401 visitors. Safari vessels welcomed a further 23,503 tourists, providing travellers with additional opportunities to explore the country’s islands, marine environments and local communities.
During July, the Maldives recorded 184,735 total visitor arrivals. This represented an increase of approximately 46 percent compared with June, indicating a strong month-on-month recovery in travel demand. The July result was 1.9 percent lower than the figure recorded during the corresponding month of 2025, reflecting only a modest year-on-year difference despite changing conditions across international travel markets.
The strong increase between June and July demonstrates the resilience of the Maldivian tourism industry and its capacity to generate renewed demand across different travel periods. The results also support a positive outlook for resorts as the country progresses through the second half of the year.
The performance reflects the Government’s continued focus on strengthening the Maldives’ global tourism profile, supporting international air connectivity, developing tourism infrastructure and maintaining confidence among travellers, investors and industry partners. The Government’s commitment to expanding tourism opportunities while preserving the quality and international competitiveness of the destination remains central to the sector’s long-term development.
With more than nine out of every 12 tourists choosing resort accommodation, resort properties are expected to remain the foundation of the Maldives’ tourism offering. Supported by a diversified accommodation industry and continued government-led development, the Maldives remains well positioned to welcome travellers from around the world and sustain its standing as one of the leading island destinations in international tourism.
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