Tourism Industry Highlights for July 2021

We have rounded up the tourism industry highlights for July 2021. Looking at the statistics, tourist arrivals have increased in July 2021 compared to June 2021.

One of the leading tourist source markets, India made comeback in July as the Maldives reopened its borders for South Asian travellers. Arrivals saw a dramatic increase by the end of the 4th week of the month with the daily average increasing from 1,827 to 3,204.

Diving even more into the statistics, arrivals have exceeded the 2020 annual total of 555,494. With this, the Maldives moves another step closer to achieving its target to welcome 1.5 million tourists in 2021.

COVID-19 situation in the Maldives has also impr o ved with locals now allowed to travel without quarantine (to islands that aren’t under monitoring) if they received 2 doses of the vaccine. Many residents in the capital visited islands for the Eid holidays with this ease.

The government of the Maldives has also secured enough vaccines for the entire eligible population of the country.

More chapters are written into Maldives’ tourism success story every month. And this success is certainly visible from these top tourism industry highlights of July 2021.

Arrivals in 2021 exceed the annual total of 2020

A little more than a year since the island nation reopened its borders, in mid-July tourist arrivals to the Maldives exceeded the annual total of 2020. In addition to that, within the first 6 months of this year, arrivals have increased by 56.2% compared to the previous year.

Tourist arrivals in 2021 surpass 600,000

Towards the end of the month on 28th July, tourist arrivals have surpassed 600,000. From 1st January 2021 to 28th July 2021, Russia has been the Maldives’ biggest individual tourist source market. Meanwhile, neighbouring India ranked at second place among the leading individual markets.

Maldives resumes issuing visas for South Asian travellers

Maldives resumed issuing on-arrival tourist visas to South Asian travellers on 15th July 2021. Colliding with this, the daily average of tourist arrivals increased as well. Likewise, one of Maldives’ leading tourist source markets, India has made a comeback.

Accor Announces Plans to bring S/O Hotels & Resorts to the Maldives

Accor signed a hotel management agreement with S Hotels and Resorts Public Company Limited and Wai Eco World Developer Pte. Ltd. (WEWD) to introduce SO/ Hotels & Resorts to the Maldives.

Scheduled to open in 2023, the new resort will nestle on the third island of CROSSROADS Maldives. Furthermore, Accor currently operates 05 resorts in the Maldives.

World Travel Awards nominates the Maldives in 10 regional categories

World Travel Awards nominated the Maldives in 10 prestigious regional categories for its 28th annual programme. The Maldives claimed the coveted title of the ‘World’s Leading Destination’ last year.

The Maldives is nominated for the following Indian ocean categories:

Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board 2021: Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation
Indian Ocean’s Leading Wedding Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2021

Abu Dhabi adds the Maldives to the green list

Towards the end of July 2021, Abu Dhabi updated its quarantine-free travel green list with the inclusion of the Maldives. The Emirate added eight countries; Bahrain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and the Maldives to the updated list.

With this, travellers who fly to and from the Maldives will no longer need to self-isolate once they return to Abu Dhabi.

Tourist arrivals will possibly increase further in the coming months with peak arrivals season around the corner. To keep up with the latest travel trends and news, follow us on Twitter and join our travel community on Facebook.

Feature image by Accor

This June, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites travelers to experience Eid Al-Adha in a way that goes beyond the usual holiday. The adult-only resort has created a special two-day celebration that offers a hands-on look at Maldivian culture through storytelling, traditional crafts, and local flavors. It forms part of their ongoing ‘Discover Local’ program, designed to help guests truly connect with island life.

Learning the Ancient Art of Joali Weaving

One of the standout moments takes place on Saturday, June 7, when guests join a Joali weaving workshop. This craft involves weaving coconut rope into practical items and has been quietly passed down through island families for generations. Since resorts rarely showcase this tradition, this becomes a rare chance for guests to experience a living cultural art.

Mohamed Irshad, the Front Office Manager of Mercue Maldives Kooddoo, shares why it matters:

“We don’t want to just show our guests the Maldives, we want them to feel it through our traditions. Joali weaving is one of those rare crafts that tells the story of resourcefulness, connection to nature, and island life”

Eid Buffet and the Colorful Maali Parade

The celebration starts on the evening of June 6 with an Eid buffet featuring refined takes on local festive dishes. Here, the resort prepares everything using fresh ingredients sourced nearby, celebrating the Maldives’ rich culinary heritage.

Then, the following night, the resort comes alive with the Maali Parade, a lively procession inspired by traditional Maldivian folklore. Masked performers bring ancient stories to life right on the island.

Dining Under the Sun: The Sandbank Picnic Experience

No trip to the Maldives feels complete without a sandbank picnic, and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers a particularly memorable version. Set on a tiny, untouched island surrounded by crystal-clear water, guests enjoy an authentic meal served on tropical leaves. This picnic offers a tasting journey into Maldivian flavors, featuring local specialties like:

Gulha: Coconut and tuna fritters
Kulhi Kaajaa: Spicy tuna bites
Bajiya: Pastries filled with sweet and spicy mixes
Rihaakuru Kaajaa: Fritters made from rich fish paste
Dry Fish: Smoked tuna strips
Bodi: Sweet coconut treats with toddy syrup

Along with fresh coconut water, the food makes the meal both refreshing and deeply connected to the island’s culinary traditions.

Year-Round Cultural Experiences with ‘Discover Local’

Although Eid brings special energy to the resort, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo’s cultural offerings continue throughout the year. For instance, the ‘Discover Local’ program invites guests to try their hand at traditional sunset fishing, palm leaf art, and sampling cultural cocktails inspired by island ingredients.

The cocktail menu features creations such as:

Maldivian Green: A blend of gin, curry leaf syrup, lemon, and soda water
Ocean Breeze: Vodka infused with butterfly pea flower, peach schnapps, pineapple, and coconut syrup
Green Kooddoo: Rum mixed with Malibu, pandan leaf juice, pineapple, and coconut syrup
Mirus Rita: A spicy twist on the classic margarita using chili-infused Maldivian tequila
Coco Kurumba: Whisky combined with tamarind juice, coconut milk, and passion fruit syrup

These drinks add an extra layer to the island experience and let guests taste Maldivian flavors in a completely new way.

More Than a Vacation: A Cultural Journey

If you visit for Eid or explore Maldivian culture at any time, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers more than a stay. In fact, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives as a vibrant, living culture, full of stories, flavors, and traditions that stay with you long after the trip ends.