Maldives tourism industry has witnessed a significant growth and a substantial change of dynamics during the past six years.
Based on the statistical data report compiled by National Statistics Bureau with regards to information relied by Tourism Ministry of Maldives, the biggest change in local tourism is the increased bed capacity in tourist resorts. Another complementing factor is the slow recession of the occupancy rate.
According to the data publicized by the statistics bureau the bed-occupancy rate in 2011 had reached 87% in all local resorts. While the rate hiked to an 89% ini 2013, it receded to 82% in 2014 and a further drop to 76% in 2015.
Reports indicate the occupancy rate reached 74% in 2016 and dropped by a percentage to 73% in 2017.
The number of registered and operating resorts in Maldives had increased significantly over the past six years as well, with 105 registered outlets in 2012. The number increased by 5 additional outlets to 110 resorts a year later and in 2014 a total of 111 resorts were under ministry registration.
In 2015, it had once again increased to 115 registered resorts operating in Maldives while in 2016 a sudden bump of 126 outlets were registered. By the end of 2017, the registered resorts in Maldives have reached to 135, clearly indicating a massive growth in the sector for the past two years.
The increase of registered tourist outlets in turn had resulted in the obvious increase of the bed capacity as well.
Tourist Bed Capacity: 2012 - 2017
- * 2012 - 22,889 beds
- * 2013 - 23,487 beds
- * 2014 - 24,031 beds
- * 2015 - 24,877 beds
- * 2016 - 26,933 beds
- * 2017 - 29,977 beds
Though the occupancy rate in resorts had decreased during the six year period, guesthouses witnessed year-to-year increase in their occupancy rate since 2012.
Guesthouses had also increased since 2012, with a total of 75 registered outlets operating in the year. A year later in 2013, the registered outlets increased to 136, making a big leap in the sector within a year's span. In 2014, a total of 220 registered outlets were providing their hotelier experiences to tourists and in 2015 the number had increased to 313. In 2016, the number had once again increased to 393 and last year local guesthouses operating had reached 458.
Occupancy rate in guesthouses had stayed at 18% in 2012 while it hiked to 23% in 2013. A year later, the occupancy rate receded back to 18% and made a bump-back of 24% in 2015. The occupancy rate made a further hike in 2016, reaching 34% but in 2017 it receded to 31 percent.
According to the official statistical records of Tourism Ministry, the bed capacity from all hospitality outlets in Maldives including resorts and guesthouses have reached to 41,255. This is an 80% growth compared to 2008's 23,464 beds.
