Search
Close this search box.

Tourism Industry Highlights for July 2021

Rendering of upcoming maldives resort
We’ve rounded up the Maldives’ tourism industry highlights for July 2021, bringing you the not-to-miss updates of the month.

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 improved 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

Ad - immaldives.com

Latest

Siyam World Maldives Named Among Worlds Best in Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards

Siyam World Maldives

Siyam World Maldives has firmly claimed its place as a global travel icon by securing a coveted spot among the Top 10 Hotels in the World in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice® Best of the Best Awards. The resort proudly stands as the only Maldivian property to enter the world’s top 10 this year, a historic milestone that celebrates both the resort and the Maldives as a travel destination.

Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, compiles its prestigious awards based on genuine traveler reviews submitted over a 12-month period. This process adds a powerful layer of authenticity guests, not critics or influencers, shape these rankings with real feedback and experiences.

Siyam World delivered an outstanding performance in this year’s awards, achieving multiple top-tier placements:

  • #10 Best Hotel in the World
  • #4 Top Hotel in Asia
  • #2 Best All-Inclusive Hotel in the World
  • #1 Top All-Inclusive Hotel in the Maldives
  • #1 Top All-Inclusive Hotel in Asia

These accolades place the resort among the top 1% of all Tripadvisor listings globally and underscore its rise as a trailblazer in the world of luxury hospitality.

A Team Effort Built on Passion

The Siyam World team drove this success through dedication, creativity, and a shared vision. Sara Siyam, Director of Marketing at Sun Siyam Resorts, emphasized that this recognition reflects years of hard work and a bold commitment to delivering authentic experiences.

“We’re beyond honored and thrilled to be ranked #10 in TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels in the World! From day one, our dedicated team has gone above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences, always striving to give our guests every reason to return. Constant innovation, authentically Maldivian hospitality and service, and an unwavering commitment to delivering unforgettable moments and experiences have been at the heart of our journey. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible team for their passion and perseverance, and to our amazing guests whose support and votes brought us this global recognition. You’ve helped put us on the world map, and we’re just getting started.”

Ausy Waseem, Resort Manager at Siyam World, echoed her thoughts. He stressed that the team didn’t pursue opulence for its own sake, but instead focused on creating something meaningful and different.

This means a lot to us. We didn’t set out to create the flashiest or most luxurious resort, that’s not who we are. We wanted Siyam World to feel real, to give guests a true taste of the Maldives, but also something they’ve never seen before. It was about experiences and memories, not just fancy things. We dared to do things differently, and seeing the world embrace that is really special. A big thank you to Mr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed for his vision and for believing in us, without his faith and passion, none of this would have been possible. Our VP of Operations at Sun Siyam, Abdulla Thamheed,  played a significant role in Siyam Worlds win as well. This is a proud moment for the whole team and for everyone who believed in this game changer in the Maldives.”

A Vision That Dared to Be Different

Since its opening in late 2021, Siyam World has boldly reimagined the traditional Maldives holiday. Stretching across 54 hectares of natural island in Noonu Atoll, the resort offers a fresh, dynamic approach to five-star luxury. Rather than simply cater to conventional luxury, Siyam World infuses imagination, inclusivity, and energy into every aspect of the experience.

The resort introduces a lineup of first-of-their-kind attractions in the Maldives, including:

  • The country’s largest floating water park
  • The first horse ranch on a Maldivian island
  • An electric go-kart track
  • Exciting water sports like Seabreacher rides, jet cars, and Cudajets
  • Football camps featuring icons such as Alessandro Del Piero, Michael Owen, Francesco Totti, and Rio Ferdinand
  • 16 categories of accommodation, from whimsical overwater villas with slides to expansive four-bedroom beachfront residences

Alongside these, the resort offers 18 dining and bar venues, a 24-hour WOW! All-Inclusive plan, wellness programs, curated family activities, and unforgettable events. Siyam World doesn’t just provide a stay — it delivers a world of wonder.

A Big Win for the Maldives

This global recognition does more than spotlight a single resort, it signals a breakthrough moment for Maldivian tourism. Siyam World proves that Maldivian resorts can not only offer natural beauty but also compete globally through innovation, bold concepts, and standout guest experiences.

As Siyam World continues to push boundaries and set new standards, this award marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. With its blend of playfulness, authenticity, and visionary spirit, the resort has carved out a singular identity in the global travel landscape, and it’s only getting started.

Ad - immaldives.com
No more posts to show