Maldives Tourism Capacity Grows to 68,000 Beds Despite Slight Dip in Arrivals

The Maldives has expanded its tourism accommodation capacity by more than 600 beds during the first half of the year, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Official statistics reveal that the total number of operational beds in the tourism sector has reached 68,142. This marks an increase of 667 beds from the 67,475 recorded at the end of last year, signaling a continued investment in infrastructure despite global economic volatility. The growth is spread across a diverse range of accommodation types. Currently, there are 1,302 operational tourism establishments across the archipelago, comprising 934 guesthouses, 179 resorts, 173 safari vessels, and 16 hotels. This mix highlights the continued expansion of both luxury resort offerings and the growing community-based tourism sector found in local islands. However, the increase in capacity contrasts with a slight cooling in visitor numbers. The Maldives has welcomed 1,114,751 tourist arrivals so far this year, representing a 4.9% decline compared to the same period last year. While the dip in arrivals suggests a shifting trend in global travel patterns or economic pressures, the ministry's figures indicate that the industry continues to scale up its capacity to meet future demand. The expansion of beds across guesthouses and resorts suggests a strategic push to diversify the Maldivian tourism product and cater to different market segments.