Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
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2. Case Studies
2.1. Field Case Studies
2.1.1. Maldives
Background
The Maldives is known for its white sand beaches and clear waters. Its twenty-six158 atolls
stretch across from north to south, making Maldives one of the most geographically dispersed
sovereign states in the world. Out of the 1,192 islands, only 187159 are inhabited, and 138160
islands are registered as resorts. Statistics reports from the Ministry of Tourism stated that in
2017, a total of 1,389,542 tourists visited the Maldives 161, out of which 46.5% belonged to the
European market.
Table 3: Maldives - Tourism Statistics
Travel and Tourism% of GDP 40.9%
Travel and Tourism employment 35,500 jobs
(19.7% of total)
Source: WTTC - Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2017
Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives. Tourism started in the Maldives in the 1970s
with secluded tourist resorts and operation of safari vessels. Tourism expanded after
community-based tourism in the form of guesthouse started operations in 2009. Hoteliers or
property owners started involving the local community within the operations of the
establishments on the islands – frombuying local produce, to outsourcing watersports activities,
to hiring employees to work at the establishment. The guesthouse concept industry opened a
door of investment in tourism for the local community.
With the increase in the number of tourist arrivals, the destination started to develop in order
to cater for the increasing demand. In 2018, the airport development project included opening
a new runway at Velana International Airport which is designed to serve large passenger
carrying aircrafts. The new international passenger terminal is planned to accommodate 14
international air traffic movements and 1800 passengers per hour. Upon completion of
development, the airport will be able to serve 7.3 million passengers and will reach the ultimate
target of two million tourists per year with over $3.5 billion in receipts by the end of 2020.
Tourism has drastically affected the environment and raised awareness about the importance
of preserving it. Maldivians used to engage in coral mining and harpoon fishing. Relevant
government authorities have now prohibited fishing and sale of specific marine life, including
158 World Population Review. (2018). Maldives Population 2018. Retrieved from
159 National Bureau of Statistics. (2018). Maldives in Figures – September 2018. Retrieved from
160 Ministry of Tourism. (2018). August 2018. Retrieved from
161 Ministry of Tourism. (2017). December 2017. Retrieved from