The Maldives is marking 54 years of tourism, celebrating an industry that has grown from a modest 30-room resort into the backbone of the country’s economy and one of the world’s most recognised tourism destinations.
Marking National Tourism Day on October 3, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the continued development of the tourism sector, describing the industry as a vital driver of economic growth, employment and international connectivity.
In a social media message, Minister Ameen praised the dedication and contribution of everyone working across the tourism industry, saying their efforts have helped maintain the Maldives’ position as a leading global destination.
He highlighted the sector’s importance to the national economy, noting that tourism accounts for around 28 percent of GDP and generates approximately 60 percent of the country’s foreign-exchange earnings.
The Minister also noted that, according to 2022 figures, the tourism sector employed 55,874 people, including 23,146 Maldivians, who accounted for 41.4 percent of the industry’s workforce.
National Tourism Day commemorates October 3, 1972, when the Maldives’ first tourist resort, Vihamanaafushi, now known as Kurumba Maldives, opened its doors.
The resort began with just 30 rooms and 60 beds, marking the beginning of an industry that was once considered an ambitious dream due to the Maldives’ unique geography and limited infrastructure.
The arrival of Italian visitor George Corbin and the efforts of Maldivian tourism pioneers including Mohamed Umar Maniku, Hussain Afeef and Kerafa Naseem played a key role in turning that vision into reality. The first group of tourists arrived in the Maldives in February 1972, while positive reports by Italian journalists who accompanied them helped generate international interest in the country.
Since then, the industry has undergone remarkable expansion. The Maldives now has more than 1,280 tourism facilities, including 179 resorts, 920 guesthouses and 165 safari vessels, with total accommodation capacity approaching 68,000 beds.
The country has also strengthened its position on the global tourism stage, being recognised as the World’s Leading Destination for seven consecutive years, while tourist arrivals reached approximately 2.2 million last year.
Beyond its international reputation, tourism remains central to the Maldivian economy, providing employment, generating foreign currency and connecting the country with the wider world.
Looking ahead, the government has pledged to continue providing the necessary cooperation and resources to strengthen the industry, while pursuing a decentralised tourism model aimed at expanding economic opportunities across the islands.
The government also intends to promote the Maldives’ diverse culture, natural environment and lesser-known destinations, ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach communities throughout the country.
From the opening of a single 30-room resort in 1972 to a globally recognised tourism industry spanning hundreds of islands and thousands of businesses, the Maldives’ tourism story has become a defining part of the nation’s economic and social development.
