Why the Maldives Is Pushing to Become the World's Leading Sustainable Destination

For most countries, sustainability is a choice. For the Maldives, it is closer to a survival plan. The nation sits barely above the waves and earns its living from the ocean around it, so protecting that ocean is also protecting the economy.

That is why the country keeps positioning itself as a premium, sustainable destination. Here is what is driving that push, what the numbers say, and what it means if you are planning a luxury Maldives holiday.

What is at stake

The Maldives is the lowest-lying country on Earth. The World Bank reports an average land elevation of just 1.5 metres, with 80 percent of land below one metre. That makes sea level rise and flooding a direct threat to homes, resorts and airports alike.

1.5 mAverage land elevation across the islands

80%Of land sits less than 1 metre above sea level

US$442MYearly value of coral reef flood protection, about 8% of GDP

33%Government target for renewable electricity by 2028

Sustainability is at the heart of our decisions and actions.

Ibrahim Shiuree, Maldives tourism leader, 2025 interview with Gulf Business

Reefs and islands

The good news is that Maldivian islands are not simply sinking. Healthy reefs produce sand and shelter shorelines, and many islands have adapted naturally. The World Bank found that between 2004 and 2016 only 3 percent of islands lost land overall, while most grew or stayed stable. The warning is that reef damage threatens this natural defence.

How islands changed, 2004 to 2016

Share of Maldivian islands by net change in land area

59%

38%

Gained landStableNet land loss (3%)

Source: World Bank, Maldives Country Climate and Development Report.

Water villas above a shallow Maldivian lagoon — Lagoons and reefs are both the main attraction and the first line of coastal defence.

Protect the reef and you protect the beach, the villa and the livelihoods that depend on both.

The policy toolbox

The Maldives is using several levers at once.

Green tax. Introduced in 2016 to fund environmental projects, it doubled from US$6 to US$12 per person per night at resorts, hotels and safari vessels on 1 January 2025. Small guesthouses pay US$6. Collections reached about US$129.7 million in the first eleven months of 2025, more than double the previous year.
Renewable energy. The government has reaffirmed a goal of meeting 33 percent of electricity needs from renewables by 2028.
"Ocean Nation" branding. Visit Maldives is building its marketing around ocean stewardship and has said it is focusing on higher-value, luxury and niche travel rather than volume alone.
New developments. Plans such as Project Ayla, described as the country's first sustainable township, show the ambition extends beyond resorts.

Green tax per person per night

Resorts, hotels and safari vessels, in US dollars

$12

2016 to 2024From 1 January 2025

Source: Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

The growth question

There is a real tension here. The Maldives welcomed about 2.25 million visitors in 2025, up 9.8 percent on 2024 and its highest total yet, although slightly short of the government's 2.3 million target. More visitors means more flights, more waste and more pressure on small islands.

Tourist arrivals

Millions of visitors

2.05M

2.25M

2.30M

202420252025 target

Source: Maldives Ministry of Tourism, reported by Edition.mv and Hotelier Maldives.

The strategy's answer is to grow value rather than just numbers: higher-spending guests, longer stays and the green tax revenue to fund waste management and conservation. Whether that balance holds will decide how credible the "leading sustainable destination" ambition becomes. It is a goal the country is working toward, not a title it has already won.

A sustainable stay is one where the guest, the island and the reef all benefit.

The IraDivi editorial team

What this means for your stay

You can support the push without giving up comfort. Choose resorts with visible marine conservation, coral restoration and renewable energy programmes. Stay a little longer instead of making several short trips, use reef-safe sunscreen, and join guided snorkelling rather than touching the reef.

Our curated villas and packages include resorts across several atolls, and every listed price shows mandatory taxes and fees included, so there are no surprises. If you want help choosing an island with strong environmental credentials, our concierge team can guide you.

Plan a lower-impact Maldives escape

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