Maldives Resort Rent Revenue Climbs to USD 103.76 Million as Government Strengthens Tourism Asset Management
Government revenue from resort rent reached USD 103.76 million during the first nine months of 2026, reflecting a reported 10.8 per cent increase compared with the corresponding period last year and highlighting the continued strength of the Maldives’ resort-based tourism industry.
Statistics from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority show that resort rent collections have maintained year-on-year growth. Revenue from this source stood at approximately USD 90.79 million during the same period in 2025, with the latest figures indicating a significant increase in contributions from one of the country’s most important tourism revenue streams.
The resort sector remains at the centre of the Maldives’ international tourism offering and continues to play a major role in generating foreign exchange, government revenue, investment and employment. According to the latest daily statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, the country currently has 184 registered resorts, of which 180 are in operation, providing a combined capacity of 45,171 tourist beds.
Resorts also continue to be the preferred accommodation category for international visitors. Ministry statistics show that 73.8 per cent of tourists who arrived in the Maldives so far this year, representing more than 1.2 million visitors, stayed at resorts. The figures underline the continuing global appeal of the Maldives’ resort model, which has positioned the country among the world’s most recognised premium island tourism destinations.
While the operating resort sector continues to perform strongly, the Government is also placing greater focus on bringing long-pending tourism development projects into productive use. A number of islands and lagoons allocated for resort development have remained undeveloped for extended periods, limiting their potential contribution to tourism capacity, public revenue, employment and wider economic activity.
Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen recently highlighted the financial and economic impact of such delays, noting that 161 islands and lagoons allocated for tourism development remain unopened. Some of these properties have remained undeveloped for 20 to 25 years despite having been designated for tourism-related investment.
The Minister further stated that outstanding land rent payments associated with these properties exceed USD 500 million, demonstrating the scale of revenue affected by prolonged development delays.
The Government has responded by formulating regulations establishing measures for developers who fail to complete tourism projects within extended periods. The framework also provides procedures for terminating agreements relating to properties that remain undeveloped, allowing such tourism assets to be managed more effectively and, where appropriate, redirected towards viable investment and development.
The stronger resort rent performance, together with the Government’s efforts to improve the management of undeveloped tourism properties, reflects a broader focus on maximising the economic value of the country’s tourism assets. With the resort sector continuing to attract the majority of visitors to the Maldives, improved development oversight and stronger revenue collection are expected to further support the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the country’s tourism industry.
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