The Maldivian government collected MVR 1.6 billion in resort rental revenue during the first nine months of 2026, marking a 10.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to statistics published by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), resort rental revenue rose from MVR 1.4 billion in the first nine months of 2025 to MVR 1.6 billion this year.
Resorts remain the most popular accommodation choice among tourists visiting the Maldives. Data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment show that 73.8% of tourists who visited the country so far this year, representing more than 1.2 million visitors, stayed at resorts.
The Maldives currently has 184 registered resorts, of which 180 are operational, according to the ministry’s daily tourism update. These operational resorts have a combined capacity of 45,171 beds.
Meanwhile, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has highlighted the economic losses caused by delays in developing islands and lagoons allocated for tourism projects.
The minister recently said that 161 islands and lagoons allocated for tourism development remain undeveloped, with some projects delayed for 20 to 25 years. He also said that outstanding land rent owed to the government by these sites exceeds US$500 million.
The government has now formulated regulations to address prolonged delays in tourism development projects. The regulations also outline circumstances under which agreements for the undeveloped sites can be terminated.
The move comes as authorities seek to address long-delayed projects and recover revenue owed to the state from islands and lagoons allocated for tourism development.
