Tourism in the Maldives officially began in 1972 with the opening of the country’s first resort, NIVA Kurumba Maldives, then known as Kurumba Village. Opened in October 1972 with a modest 280-bed capacity, the resort welcomed its first international travellers, marking a defining moment in the Maldives’ history. What began as a bold and uncertain venture would ultimately transform the Maldives into one of the world’s leading destinations.
From those early days, Maldivian visionaries laid the foundation for an industry that would eventually attract the world’s renowned hospitality brands. Yet, Maldivian-owned and Maldives-rooted hospitality groups have continued to stand strong within this highly competitive landscape, building enduring legacies while contributing to the continued growth of the destination.
Over the decades, resort ownership and management in the Maldives have evolved from individual properties into well-established hospitality groups managing multiple islands. These businesses have developed influential portfolios across the country while nurturing a distinct approach to hospitality, one that combines international service standards with a deep understanding of Maldivian culture, environment and community.
Long before global hospitality brands established a presence in the country, Maldivian-owned resorts were already welcoming international travellers and shaping the Maldives’ tourism sector.Hospitality groups such as Sun Siyam Resorts, Villa Resorts, VERSA Hospitality, formerly Universal Resorts, Crown & Champa Resorts, Sunland Hotels and AAA Hotels & Resorts exemplify this legacy. From Sunland Hotels, which evolved from a travel agency founded in 1985 into the hospitality group behind Coco Collection and Biyadhoo Island Resort, to AAA Hotels & Resorts and its portfolio of Medhufushi Island Resort, Filitheyo Island Resort and Hondaafushi Island Resort, these groups continue to reflect the resilience, adaptability and long-term vision of Maldivian hospitality leaders.
A new generation of hospitality groups has since emerged from within the destination. Founded in 2013, Atmosphere Core has built a strong presence in the Maldives, with nine operational resorts across four distinct brands and further developments in the pipeline. BeKind Hotels & Resorts has similarly progressed from the opening of Fushifaru Maldives in 2017 into a unified hospitality group built around culture, community and conscious living.
This locally driven evolution has also introduced new concepts and service models that have influenced the wider resort industry. From pioneering hospitality formats to developing increasingly diverse portfolios, groups rooted in the Maldives have continued to respond to changing traveller expectations while retaining a distinct understanding of the destination.
In recent years, this evolution has extended beyond the Maldives. Groups including Sun Siyam Resorts, VERSA Hospitality and Atmosphere Core now operate properties internationally, bringing hospitality concepts shaped in the Maldives to destinations abroad. Atmosphere Core’s growing portfolio now includes heritage hotels in India and Italy, supported by plans for more than 20 properties across Europe and South Asia. This expansion demonstrates how brands established in the Maldives are engaging confidently on a global scale.
The remarkable evolution of Maldivian tourism is built on a legacy of vision, resilience and innovation. Today, as the industry embraces new opportunities, established pioneers and emerging hospitality groups continue to lead its transformation, ensuring growth is guided by sustainability, authenticity and a commitment to excellence.