Today, the Maldives celebrates National Tourism Day, an annual milestone marking the incredible journey of an industry that has transformed the nation into the world’s premier luxury destination.
Established by the government in 2021, the date commemorates 3 October 1972, the day the country’s very first resort, Vihamanaafushi (now Kurumba Maldives), opened its doors with just 30 rooms and 60 beds.
The inception of this industry was once considered a dream, as many doubted the feasibility of tourism in the Maldives’ unique geographical landscape. However, following the arrival of Italian visitor George Corbin and the pioneering efforts of local visionaries like Mohamed Umar Maniku, Hussain Afeef, and Kerafa Naseem, the first group of tourists set foot on Maldivian soil in February 1972. Favourable reports from the Italian journalists accompanying that inaugural group sparked international interest, laying the foundation for a tourism revolution.
Over the past 54 years, the industry has experienced meteoric growth. Today, the Maldives operates over 1,280 tourist facilities—including 179 resorts, 920 guesthouses, and 165 safari vessels—boasting a total capacity of nearly 68,000 beds. As a testament to its global appeal, the nation has been crowned the "World’s Leading Destination" for seven consecutive years, with visitor arrivals reaching 2.2 million last year alone.
Beyond its prestige, tourism remains the backbone of the Maldivian economy, accounting for 28 percent of the country’s GDP and serving as a vital source of foreign currency. Looking toward the future, the government remains committed to a decentralised approach, aiming to expand the benefits of tourism across the entire archipelago while showcasing the rich culture and untapped beauty of the Maldivian islands to the world.