The Guesthouse Phenomenon in the Maldives – Development and Issues

Abstract

Summary The tourism industry in the Maldives has long been dominated by the “one island, one resort” model, where luxury resorts on uninhabited islands kept tourists isolated from local communities. However, recent legislative changes have opened up new opportunities for community-based tourism (CBT) with the establishment of guesthouses on inhabited islands. This shift aims to increase local participation in the tourism sector and has led to greater interaction between tourists and the island communities. The guesthouse industry has witnessed rapid growth, surpassing the number of resorts, providing more affordable options for visitors, and offering the potential for economic and social benefits for local communities. Despite the benefits, the lack of clear guidelines and varying sizes and facilities of guesthouses has caused confusion among stakeholders and tourists. The increased interaction between conservative local communities and tourists has also led to conflicts. This case study is based on a research project conducted in September 2019 exploring the sustainable development opportunities and challenges of the guesthouse tourism industry in the Maldives. Extensive in person interviews were conducted with tourists staying at three local island islands in the country, as well as guesthouse operators and managers from the same islands. Information © The Authors 2024