Restaurant and accommodation prices surge by 29%

The prices of restaurants and accommodation services have surged by over 29 percent in the Maldives.

According to the latest monthly statistics released by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), restaurants and accommodation are two segments that have seen the biggest surges in inflation this year – with an inflation rate of 29.3 percent at the end of June – a 40 percent surge compared to the first six months of last year.

During the first six months of 2024, inflation rates for restaurants and accommodation services ranged between 0.4 – 2.3 percent. But the rate began to surge starting November 2024.

By the end of June 2025, the overall inflation rate stood at 3.8 percent, with the rate for food and beverages at 4.6 percent.

The surge in prices of restaurant and accommodation services come as the Maldives faces a USD crunch, with the black-market rate for US dollars above MVR 20.

Heavily dependent on imports, this has led to a surge in prices of even basic produce such as lime and chili.