Holiday Vacation Trips Asia - Maldives Destination
Maldives Economy

Maldives Travel Guide offers travel tips and information for top travel places and best destinations. We feature links, resources and large selection of budget airlines, chartered planes, sea cruises, ferries, travel agencies, land transports and attractions including beaches, medical tourism, retirement homes, historical and pilgrimage tours.

Typical Maldives market

In ancient times the Maldives were renowned for cowry shells, coir rope, dried tuna fish (Maldive Fish), ambergris and coco de mer. Local and foreign trading ships used to load these products in Sri Lanka and transport them to other harbors in the Indian Ocean. From the 2nd century AD the islands were known as the ‘Money Isles’ by the Arabs who dominated the Indian ocean trade routes. The Maldives provided enormous quantities of cowry shells, an international currency of the early ages. The cowry is now the symbol of the Maldives Monetary Authority.

The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989, initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. Today, the Maldives' largest industry is tourism, accounting for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Fishing is the second leading sector.

In late December 2004, the major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $400 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 3.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly and showed a 18% increase on 2006. 2007 estimates show the Maldives enjoy the highest GDP per capita $4,600 (2007 est) amongst south Asian countries excluding rich Persian Gulf countries.

Popular Maldives Resort Hotels
Hulhule Island Hotel, Kai Logde, Kam Hotel, Mookai Hotel & Apartment, Relax Inn

Captivating Maldives Resort Hotel & Beach Resorts
Alimatha Aquatic Resort, Angaga Island Resort, Angsana Resort & Spa, Ari Beach Resort, Asdu Sun Island Athurugau Island Resort, Avi Island Resort, Bandos Island Resort, Banyan Tree Resort, Bathala Island Resort, Biyadoo Island Resort, Bodulhithi Coral Isle, Bolifushi Island, Club Med Farukolhufushi, Coco Palm Resort, Cocoa Island Resort, Dhigufinolhu Island Resort, Ellaidhoo Resort, Equator Village Resort, Eriyadu Island Resort, Fesdu Fun Island, Fihalohi Tourist Resort, Fullmoon Beach Resort, Fun Island Resort, Giraavaru Island Resort, Halaveli Holiday Village, Holiday Island Resort, Kandooma Tourist Resort, Kuramathi Village Resort, Lohifushi Island Resort, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Thulhagiri Resort, Velavaru Tourist Resort, Vilamendhoo Island Resort

Maldives Beach Resorts with Water Bungalows
Ari Beach Resort, Baros Holiday Resort, Dhiggiri Tourist Resort, Kuramanthi Blue Lagoon Resort, Embudhu Resort, Fihalhohi Tourist Resort, Gangehi Island Resort, Hilton Maldives Resort on Rangali Island, Kuramathi Cottage Club, Kuredu Resort, Laguna Beach Resort, Lily Beach Resort, Meeru Island Resort, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Paradize Island Resort, Reethi Beach Resort, Royal Island Resort, Soneva Fushi Resort, Soneva Gili Resort & Spa, Sun Island Resort, Veligandu Island Resort, Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort

Maldives Family Villas / Rooms
Asdu Sun Island, Dhigufinolhu Island Resort, Embudhu Finolhu Island, Filitheyo Resort, One & Only Kanuhura Island Resort, Medhufushi Resort

Maldives Beach Front Bungalows
Helengeli Tourist Village

Hotels & Beach Resorts in Maldives, Asia
Addoo Atoll (Seenu) Beach Resorts, Alifu Atoll (Ari Atoll) Beach Resorts, Faadhippolhu Atoll (Lhaviyani) Beach Resorts, Mulaku Atoll (Meemu) Beach Resorts, North Ari Atoll (Alifu) Beach Resorts, North Male Atoll (Kaafu) Beach Resorts, North Nilandhoo Atoll (Faafu) Beach Resorts, South Ari Atoll (Alifu) Beach Resorts, South Maalhosmadulu Atoll (Baa) Beach Resorts, South Male Atoll (Kaafu) Beach Resorts, South Nilandhoo Atoll (Dhaalu) Beach Resorts, Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo Atoll) Beach Resorts

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