Digital first destination: Dhiraagu and evolution of Maldivian hospitality

The Maldives is celebrated globally for its pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant marine life but the engine powering its success as a modern tourism destination lies deeper than turquoise waters. It’s in the invisible yet vital infrastructure that connects islands, empowers communities, and ensures seamless experiences for travellers from around the world.

As we observe the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025, the theme “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation” highlights the need for inclusive progress. In a country where tourism drives much of the economy, that progress is only possible when everyone especially women and youth in remote communities can access and benefit from digital tools.

This is where Dhiraagu, the Maldives’ leading digital service provider, is playing a transformative role. With a vision to connect communities and power industries, Dhiraagu has made key investments that are shaping the future of Maldivian hospitality and tourism.

A cornerstone of this effort is the nationwide achievement of 100% fibre broadband access across all inhabited islands, an extraordinary feat, even by global standards. Whether it’s a luxury resort in a private atoll or a family-run guesthouse in a remote island, the hospitality sector now has access to high-speed, stable connectivity that supports everything from real-time reservations to cloud-based hotel management platforms.

Dhiraagu’s mobile infrastructure is equally impressive, with 100% mobile network coverage ensuring that tour operators, transport providers, and resort staff across the country remain connected. This directly enhances operations, guest safety, and service delivery, enabling the tourism industry to function smoothly from even the most isolated locations.

In 2024, Dhiraagu was proudly recognised by Ookla® as the provider of the Fastest 5G Network in the Maldives. For tourism providers, this opens doors to smart room technologies, AI-enhanced guest services, real-time language translation, virtual concierge systems, and more. For the workforce, particularly women and youth, 5G allows remote work, digital training, and broader participation in the digital economy helping close the gender gap in one of the country’s most dynamic industries.

Taking digital transformation to the next level, Dhiraagu has also become the first and only company in the Maldives to establish a TIER IV certified data centre. This world-class facility provides the highest level of security and uptime for mission-critical data making it possible for hospitality brands to host core business platforms, reservation systems, loyalty databases, and guest information with maximum reliability and protection. For an industry that handles vast amounts of sensitive customer and operational data, this is a game changer.

To future-proof connectivity, Dhiraagu is further investing in international infrastructure as part of the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable system. This new high-capacity link will enhance global connectivity, improve network resilience, and ensure the Maldives remains digitally competitive in the global travel economy.

More than technology alone, Dhiraagu’s mission is about creating inclusive opportunities. By delivering access and services to every corner of the country, Dhiraagu is empowering more women and small businesses to enter the tourism value chain from offering homestays to launching digital travel platforms or local experience brands. Digital inclusion, in this context, is not only about equality, it’s about unlocking new value for the entire industry.

As the Maldives continues to grow as a premier travel destination, it is also emerging as a leader in smart, sustainable, and inclusive tourism. Thanks to Dhiraagu’s digital infrastructure, the hospitality sector can now rely on world-class connectivity and secure, high-performance technology setting a new standard for island destinations globally.

Because in today’s world, great tourism isn’t just about where you take your guests it’s about how seamlessly you connect the experience. And Dhiraagu is proud to be making that connection possible, for everyone.