I’ve visited the Maldives more than a dozen times in the last twenty years. They have changed considerably over that time. The main change has been from the resorts being predominantly “no news, no shoes” basic resorts to luxury establishments with pools, spas, Jacuzzi suites and so on – such as those mentioned in the report . As has been said, tourism is the main source of income to the islands and anything that jeopardises that is unlikely to gain much ground.
There is quite an element of opposition to the tourist industry by some elements who want to see the islands remain true to Islam. They are unlikely to succeed because, for no other reason, Maldivian politicians know what side their bread is buttered and the majority of the population knows this as well.
One major difference between the Maldives and other Muslim tourist areas is that tourists and locals do not mix. Tourist islands have no “local” residents (apart from the staff) and travelling around is difficult (because of the geography) and in any case not encouraged. Tourist trips to “local” islands are limited and controlled. All this means that a “popular uprising” among more radical Muslims is unlikely to succeed. Those working on the tourist islands are somewhat isolated from the rest of the population and will not want to upset the apple cart as they are well paid (probably the best paid in the islands) and many in any case are not native Maldivians.