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Maldives announces halal tourism push, to develop two Muslim-friendly resorts
Maldives has announced plans to develop facilities to tap into the halal tourism market, with at least two dedicated Islamic tourist facilities to be developed over the next three years.
In its Strategic Action Plan 2019-2023 released last week, the island nation’s government had specified developing facilities to tap into the halal tourism market as a key goal in its tourism diversification plans.
Under the plan, the tourism ministry is tasked to liaise with the Islamic ministry and the Attorney General’s Office to formulate the necessary policies, rules and regulations by the end of 2020.
By the end of next year, the tourism ministry will also work with the economic ministry to attract investors to develop halal tourism in the Maldives.
Over the coming year, the ministries of tourism, finance and national planning will also collaborate on identifying a specific island for halal tourism and allocate at least one island for the purpose in the bidding process of tourism islands.
The tourism ministry will also lead the facilitation of an understanding between banks and the economic ministry to introduce new Shari’a compliant finance schemes by the end of 2021 for the development of halal tourism.
Middle East, especially United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, holds much potential for the Maldives’ tourism industry.
In 2018, a total of 52,114 tourists from the region visited the Maldives. From January to August 2019, 42,774) tourists visited the Maldives from the Middle East region — a growth of 14.9 per cent compared to the same period last year.
However, the Maldives does not have dedicated halal tourist facilities.
Local company ADK had earlier tried to develop a halal resort on the island of Gaakoshibee in the northern Shaviyani atoll.
However, the plan later fell through and the island was later sold to Singapore-based SC Capital Partners Group. The island is now home to the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort.
In 2016, the state-owned Maldives Centre for Islamic Finance (MCIF) also announced plans to develop a halal resort. However, the plans have not yet materialised.
The Muslim travel market is continuing to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. In 2018, there were an estimated 140 Muslim visitors worldwide — up from 131 million in 2017.
In a report titled, “Halal Travellers 2016”, by the consulting firm Amadeus, it is forecasted that halal tourism will expand 50 per cent in terms of volume, and 35 per cent in terms of value over the next five years. It is estimated that with a CAGR of nine per cent Muslim spending on halal tourism will hit USD 283 billion by 2022.
The latest announcement by the government is part of the Maldives’ plans to diversify its multi-billion-dollar tourism industry, the country’s main economic activity.
The island nation’s official tourism promotion body had earlier announced plans to look beyond the Maldives’ longstanding selling points of ‘Sun, Sand and Sea’ and venture into MICE, cultural and sports tourism.
The Maldives has been known as ‘The Sunny Side of Life’ for decades, owing to its monsoon-based climate, as well as the pristine white sand beaches and clear blue waters.
However, with recent changes in tourist demographics and the introduction of more affordable products such as guesthouses, there is a need to diversify the Maldives’ branding.
The government had earlier said cultural tourism would play an important role in developing the Maldives’ tourism industry. However, a concrete step has yet been taken to realise those objectives.
Maldives has welcomed over a million tourists this year, as the destination attempts to reach an ambitious target of 1.5 million visitors over the next three months.
The one millionth visitor of the year arrived in the Maldives on August 2 — a month ahead of last year. In 2018, the one millionth mark was reached on September 9, whilst it was celebrated in October the previous year.
According to official figures, total arrivals for the past seven months of the year increased by 17.2 per cent to reach 994,733 compared to the same period last year.
Maldives welcomed a record 1.4 million tourists in 2018. It was a 6.8 per cent increase from the 1,389,542 tourists that chose to holiday in the Maldives in 2017.
Meanwhile, government has revised its forecast for the number of tourists visiting the island nation this year, increasing the estimate to a record 1.6 million from 1.5 million.
This positive growth in the tourism industry comes amidst concerns by private organisations representing industry stakeholders such as the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) over the lack of effort and budget to promote the Maldives as a destination.
These concerns come as the world-famous holiday destination struggles to match an increased bed capacity.
Over the past few years, dozens of uninhabited islands have been leased to local and foreign resort developers. Several international brands have entered into the market, increasing the number of resorts to more than 130. That number is set to increase as another 20 resorts are expected to open over the next two years.
Along with the new resort openings come the challenge of increasing demand from budget travellers who choose guesthouses over luxury resorts that the Maldives is known for. The guesthouse sector has rapidly expanded with over 500 guesthouses in operation today.
The previous government announced steps to maintain a structured growth in tourism, including a slowdown in leasing islands for resort development and increased marketing efforts in key markets such as China and the Middle East in order to reach an ambitious target of a record 1.5 million tourist arrivals this year.
Meanwhile, the new government has pledged to ramp up tourism promotion.
Reflecting the new government’s pledge, the state budget for 2019 includes MVR 104,200,000 (USD 6.7 million) for tourism promotion, up from MVR 34,733,333 (USD 2.2 million) this year and the previous year.
Constance Moofushi in the Maldives has been recognised as one of Asia’s premier luxury destinations, earning the 11th spot in the Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Asia category at the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025. This accolade highlights the resort’s dedication to delivering authentic and unforgettable luxury experiences in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Situated on a private island, Constance Moofushi combines barefoot chic with exceptional service, offering guests a unique blend of natural beauty and refined comfort. The recognition reflects not only the resort’s appeal but also the consistently high level of guest satisfaction that has become synonymous with the Constance brand.
Part of the esteemed Constance Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Constance Moofushi contributes to the group’s widespread acclaim, with all properties ranked among the Top 10% of Hotels Worldwide by Tripadvisor. These honours underscore the group’s unwavering commitment to quality across its locations in the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, and Madagascar.
The Travelers’ Choice Awards are especially meaningful as they are based entirely on genuine guest reviews and ratings from travellers around the globe. The recognition of Constance Moofushi stands as a testament to the resort’s ongoing pursuit of excellence and its embodiment of the Constance philosophy: ‘True by Nature.’
Ayada Maldives has been recognised as one of TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Hotels in the 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards. This luxury private island resort earned the distinction of being named Best of the Best in the Maldives and secured a spot among the top 25 hotels in the world. This prestigious accolade is awarded to less than 1% of TripAdvisor’s eight million global listings. Additionally, Ayada Maldives received top honours in the highly regarded ‘Treat Yourself’ category.
The Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best by TripAdvisor celebrate the pinnacle of excellence in the travel industry, acknowledging properties that consistently provide exceptional guest experiences based on outstanding reviews and ratings collected over a 12-month period.
This latest recognition further solidifies Ayada Maldives’ reputation for authentic luxury, warm hospitality, and thoughtfully curated experiences. Located in the pristine Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, the resort offers guests a serene and immersive retreat, carefully designed to promote relaxation, connection, and rejuvenation.
With its spacious overwater and beachfront villas, award-winning spa, elevated dining options, and tranquil natural surroundings, Ayada Maldives continues to stand out as the ideal destination for travellers seeking indulgence and renewal in a tropical paradise.
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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort hosts five-day yoga retreat for International Yoga Day
This summer presents an ideal opportunity for individuals to realign mind and body amid the serene beauty of the Maldives. In honour of International Yoga Day on June 21, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is hosting a five-day immersive yoga retreat from June 20 to 24. The retreat will be led by renowned Dubai-based instructor Emilia Métaireau and promises a transformative escape from daily life. Carefully scheduled for a mid-summer reset, the retreat invites wellness enthusiasts to step away from routine and reconnect with their inner selves through mindful movement, breathwork, and meditation, all set against the stunning backdrop of one of the world’s most idyllic island destinations.
As a signature event celebrating International Yoga Day, the retreat emphasises holistic healing by blending ancient yogic traditions with modern wellness techniques to offer a deeply resonant experience. Participants will begin each day with energising sunrise sessions and wind down with restorative evening practices that ground the body and calm the mind. Guided meditations and energy healing sessions are also included to foster self-awareness and spiritual connection.
Leading the retreat is Emilia Métaireau, a passionate advocate for mindful movement and self-care. With more than a decade of practice, international certification from London, and over 2,500 hours of teaching experience across global retreats and classes, Métaireau brings a grounded, expansive energy to her sessions. Her approach combines conscious movement, breathwork, and timeless yogic wisdom to guide participants toward greater inner clarity and embodiment.
At the core of the retreat is the ancient yogic philosophy of the five koshas—interconnected layers of the self that encompass physical, energetic, mental, intellectual, and blissful aspects. These koshas—Annamaya (physical body), Pranamaya (energy body), Manomaya (mental body), Vijnanamaya (intellectual body), and Anandamaya (bliss body)—serve as a roadmap for self-discovery and spiritual growth. Through carefully curated practices in yoga, meditation, and mindful movement, attendees will be guided through an experiential journey to peel back these layers and return to a state of balance, joy, and inner freedom.
The retreat will be anchored by AVI Spa, the resort’s luxury wellness sanctuary set over water. Meaning ‘sunshine’ in the local language, AVI Spa offers signature treatments and therapies that align with the transformative ethos of the retreat, providing guests with the peace and serenity essential to deep healing and restoration. The program is designed to support every layer of the being, offering a holistic experience aimed at restoring balance, enhancing vitality, and reconnecting with the authentic self.
Located on the tranquil southern tip of Raa Atoll, adjacent to a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a juvenile manta ray aggregation site, the resort provides a pristine setting for a deeply nourishing retreat. As the Maldives’ first and only all-Club InterContinental resort, guests enjoy exclusive complimentary privileges alongside premium five-star amenities. These include overwater villas, an adults-only area complete with pool and restaurant, and a tranquil spa ideal for guided meditation and yoga. With six dining venues and a total of 81 villas and residences, participants have the freedom to select their ideal retreat accommodation while enjoying a diverse array of gourmet experiences.
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