Derelict Resorts Spread Across Maldives, Isle of Wight, Great Barrier Reef

Several once-thriving tourist destinations around the world are now marked by abandoned and derelict resorts that symbolize missed economic opportunities and decay. Sandown on the Isle of Wight, once a popular British seaside town, now suffers from numerous derelict hotels and shops, leading residents to call for demolitions to revive the area after a steep tourism decline post-pandemic. In the Maldives, an unfinished luxury resort on a remote island has been left abandoned for over a decade, with half-built villas, algae-filled pools, and unused spa equipment, reportedly halted due to political issues and financial constraints, as documented by YouTuber Kale Brock. Similarly, in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef region, a dozen island resorts lie in ruins, prompting government action to urge negligent owners to rehabilitate their properties or risk losing leases, with concerns about the impact on the tourism economy ahead of upcoming international events. Industry leaders stress the need for major investments and streamlined regulations to restore these once-iconic destinations and support long-term tourism viability. These cases reflect a broader global challenge of balancing tourism development with economic sustainability and preservation of local environments.