Maldives tourism leaders to probe revenue drop despite increased arrivals
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal and the new Managing Director of MMPRC, Fathimath Thaufeeg, highlighted plans to investigate why the surge in tourist arrivals in Maldives hasn’t translated into increased revenue. The government’s target of hosting 1.8 million tourists for the year was hit with the arrival of the 1.8 millionth tourist on Wednesday. Following a […]
Maldives hotel performance weakest in Asia Pacific, new study reveals
Hotels and resorts in Maldives posted the weakest performance in the Asia Pacific region, with Gross Operating Profit Per Available Room (GOPPAR) at -11.8% in the past 12 months, according to the most recent Asia Pacific Hotels Monitor put out by hospitality advisory firm Whitebridge. The last 12 months saw many good performers in the […]
Maldives aims to boost annual tourism revenue to $6 billion
The newly formed Visitor Economy Council, announced by the government on Sunday, set its sights on ramping up annual tourism revenue to hit the $6 billion mark. Economic minister Mohamed Saeed, heading the council, disclosed this target during a press conference at the President’s Office on Monday. Highlighting the current scenario, Saeed noted, “Maldives’ GDP […]
Maldives tourism revenue drops by $200m in 8 months
Despite an increase in overall tourist arrivals to the Maldives, the tourism sector has generated $200 million less in income in the first eight months of this year compared to the same period in 2022, according to data released by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the central bank. The data reveals that Maldives received $2.5 […]
MVR 79m allocated for new domestic airport projects in 2024
The 2024 state budget includes an allocation of MVR 79.9 million for new projects aimed at developing domestic airports across the nation. In the MVR 49 billion budget presented to the parliament on Tuesday, a sum of MVR 79 million has been earmarked for the construction of new domestic airports on various islands. Airport development […]
Maldives tourism weakens as occupancy growth slows, bed nights declines
The Maldives tourism sector, which is the main source of foreign exchange earnings for the island nation, has faced a slowdown in its growth, according to the latest data released by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). According to the the central bank’s Monthly Economic Update (October 2023), total tourist arrivals in September 2023 stood at […]
Maldives sets 2m tourist arrivals target for 2024; European arrivals likely to decline
The proposed state budget for 2024 indicates that while European arrivals are likely to decrease, the number of tourists visiting the Maldives from other markets, including China, is set to rise, with an anticipated total of over 2 million tourist arrivals next year. On Tuesday, the finance ministry submitted a budget of MVR 49.5 billion […]
Maldives faces $1.7b annual economic loss from 88 unfinished resorts
The Maldivian tourism industry is grappling with a substantial setback as 88 resorts designated for development remain incomplete, resulting in an annual economic loss of $1.7 billion, as per the Finance Ministry’s fiscal statement for 2024-26. Maldives, heavily reliant on tourism, considers these unfinished resorts a linchpin of its economic prosperity. However, these 88 islands, […]
President’s plan: tackle dollar shortage by holding back 30% of inflows
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Maldivian Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, addressed a rally in Addu City ahead of the upcoming second round of the presidential election. During his speech, President Solih discussed his vision for reducing the dollar exchange rate to MVR 15 per dollar by ensuring that 30% of incoming dollars remain in the […]
Debt, weak policies affect Maldives’ tourism, investor appeal, new MATATO report warns
The Maldivian economy is in a fragile state primarily caused by a dollar crisis and excessive government expenditure, with negative impacts on the local tourism sector and investor interest in the destination, a new study by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) said on Thursday. The report, based on extensive qualitative […]
The complex web of factors behind Maldives’ unusual economic instability
The Maldivian economy has been navigating a rather peculiar and tumultuous terrain in the middle of this year. Unlike previous years, the current economic instability seems to be marked by unique characteristics that have caught the attention of economists and experts alike. Chief among these is the volatile behavior of the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) against […]
Dollar appreciates sharply, posing economic challenges
The Maldivian economy is facing a significant challenge as the US dollar has experienced a rapid surge in value against the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). Recent reports indicate that the dollar is now trading at an alarming rate of MVR 18.30 per dollar in the black market, up from MVR 17.40 per dollar just a week […]
