Case study: The Maldives (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Specification link

This page covers section 9.3.5 of the CIE IGCSE specification.

• 9.3.5 - One detailed specific example of a named country or area to include:

  • Reasons for the growth of tourism

  • The benefits and problems caused by tourism

  • The strategies and techniques used to sustainably manage tourism in the named country or area.

Reasons for the growth of tourism in The Maldives

• Tourism has transformed the Maldives into a global economic success story

  • This has lifted thousands of people out of poverty and providing vital infrastructure

• However, there are challenges and without careful management and stronger international support, the Maldives is at risk

Location and background

• The Maldives is an archipelago of around 1,192 coral islands grouped in 26 atolls, located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka

• It is the lowest country in the world — the average ground level is just 1.5 metres above sea level

• The population is approximately 521,000 people

• The Maldives has a tropical climate with:

  • Warm temperatures

  • Large number of sunshine hours

  • Little seasonal variation

  • High humidity year-round

Growth of tourism

• Tourism began in 1972 with the opening of the first resort — Kurumba Village

• Since then, the Maldives has become one of the world’s most sought-after luxury beach destinations

• In 2023, over 1.8 million international visitors arrived (source: Maldives Ministry of Tourism)

• The sector contributes around 28% of GDP and generates over 60% of foreign exchange earnings

• Tourism provides employment for approximately 60,000 Maldivians — about one third of the workforce

Attractions for tourists

Natural attractions:

• Stunning white-sand beaches

• Crystal-clear lagoons

• The extensive coral reefs serve as world-renowned sites for scuba diving and snorkelling

• The region boasts a unique marine biodiversity, home to species such as manta rays, whale sharks, and sea turtles

Human attractions:

• The Maldives is home to luxurious overwater villas

• There are also exclusive private island resorts available

• There are also spas and wellness retreats available

• Crafts, dance, and cuisine showcase the traditional Maldivian culture

Benefits of tourism in The Maldives

Economic:

• Tourism is the Maldives' main source of income

• Provides direct and indirect employment

• Stimulates related industries: fishing, construction, transport, agriculture

• Funds improvements in national infrastructure (airports, electricity, sanitation)

Social:

• Improved education and healthcare partly financed by tourism revenue

• Global awareness of Maldivian culture has increased

• Cultural norms limit the opportunities for female employment in the hospitality sector

Environmental:

• Tourism has raised awareness of the importance of marine conservation

• Many resorts invest in reef restoration and waste management initiatives

Problems of tourism in The Maldives

Economic:

• Over-reliance on a single industry — highly vulnerable to global shocks (e.g. the COVID-19 pandemic led to an 80% drop in tourist arrivals in 2020)

• High degree of economic leakage — many resorts are foreign-owned, and profits often leave the country

Social:

• Rapid development has created social inequalities — rural communities benefit less than major resort areas

• Some cultural tensions between the values of Islamic Maldivians and Western tourists (e.g. alcohol consumption, beach attire)

• Migration to tourist hubs is causing population imbalances and stress on public services

Environmental:

• Coral reefs suffer from:

  • Tourist boats anchor there

  • Physical damage from divers and snorkellers

  • Coral bleaching is a result of rising sea temperatures

• Resorts and tourists contribute to pollution by generating waste and sewage

• High water and energy consumption from desalination plants leads to increased carbon emissions

• The construction of overwater structures harms fragile marine ecosystems

• Climate change poses a threat as rising sea levels may submerge much of the country this century

Strategies to sustainably manage tourism in The Maldives

National strategies:

• Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (renamed Visit Maldives Corporation Limited in July 2025) promotes a 'high-value, low-impact' tourism model

• Establishment of marine protected areas and coral restoration projects

• The government is taking steps to cut down on single-use plastics and promote the use of renewable energy in resorts

Resort-level strategies:

• Some eco-resorts (e.g. Six Senses Laamu):

  • Use solar power

  • Operate on-site marine conservation programmes

  • Employ waste reduction and water recycling

• Many resorts run reef monitoring programs in partnership with scientists and NGOs

Individual strategies:

• Tourists are encouraged to:

  • Avoid touching corals or marine life

  • Support sustainable operators

  • Offset their carbon emissions from long-haul flights

Effectiveness of strategies

Successes:

• The Maldives is recognised globally for some of the most sustainable luxury tourism in the world

• Marine awareness among tourists is relatively high

• Some eco-resorts set international benchmarks

Limitations:

• Tourism numbers continue to grow — overall environmental pressure is increasing

• Enforcement of sustainability regulations is uneven across resorts

• Climate change remains the biggest threat — the Maldives may require global cooperation to survive in the long term

Applying the Butler Model to The Maldives

Stage 1 – Exploration

• Small groups of diving enthusiasts and marine researchers begin their exploration in the 1970s

• Limited infrastructure

Stage 2 – Involvement

• In 1972, the first tourist resort, Kurumba, opened in the Maldives. Locals provide accommodation and boat transport

Stage 3 – Development

• 1980s–1990s — government encourages foreign investment

• Major international hotel chains arrive

• Construction of Male International Airport increases accessibility

Stage 4 – Consolidation

• 2000s — mass tourism increases

• Each year, the number of tourists surpasses 1 million

• Luxury resorts dominate

• Environmental concerns, such as reef damage and freshwater depletion, are on the rise

Stage 5 – Stagnation

• Overcrowding in popular atolls is one of today's signs

• Growing awareness of coral bleaching, erosion, and pollution

Stage 6 – Rejuvenation

• Eco-tourism initiatives

• The development of eco-friendly resorts is underway

• Maldives aims to become a carbon-neutral destination

• There are controlled visitor numbers in fragile areas