MV Hotels Watch — News

Velaa leads the table again as three resorts top MVR 50,000

2026-01-31T00:00:00.000Z

Velaa Private Island again paid the highest service charge of any Maldivian resort this month, distributing roughly USD 3,660 per employee.

Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi followed at about USD 3,320, and Soneva Fushi at USD 3,253 — both clearing MVR 50,000 per staff member. The figures continue a familiar pattern in which a small group of ultra-luxury properties sit far above the rest of the field.

As always, these numbers reflect what reaches workers, not headline room rates — and they come from employees themselves, since the Ministry of Tourism does not publish per-resort service charge.

Maldives passes 879,000 visitors in 2026, resorts host 70.4%

2026-05-18T00:00:00.000Z

The Maldives has welcomed more than 879,000 visitors so far in 2026, with resorts accounting for 70.4% of all arrivals.

Daily arrivals are running near 8,000, ahead of the same period last year. The numbers underline the resort segment’s continued weight in foreign-exchange earnings and employment, even as guesthouses and safari vessels broaden the mix.

What the service-charge law actually requires

2026-04-10T00:00:00.000Z

Under the Employment Act and Tourism Act, tourism businesses add a 10% service charge on services. By law it must be shared among employees each month.

Administrative deductions are allowed but capped at 1% of the amount collected. The Labour Relations Authority oversees compliance, and failing to distribute the charge can draw fines reaching MVR 500,000. Discriminating between employees in how the charge is shared is also unlawful.

Guesthouses the bright spot as occupancy climbs to 40.6%

2026-03-22T00:00:00.000Z

Guesthouse occupancy reached 40.6% in the first quarter, up 5.2 points year-on-year — a standout in an otherwise capacity-heavy market.

With new beds being added faster than bed-nights are filled, utilisation rather than expansion looks like the sector’s priority for the rest of 2026.