Tourism ministry issues safety standards for watersports, activities
The Ministry of Tourism has issued a safety standard outlining measures to minimise accidents during watersports and other such tourist activities in the Maldives. The guidelines aim to address incidents that have led to tragedies involving tourists in water-based and beach-related excursions. In a circular issued on Thursday to tourism service providers, the ministry announced […]
Maldives to develop new hotel training school, resort on L. Hulhimendhoo
Ministry of Tourism and The Maldives National University (MNU) on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Hotel Training School and a 5-star resort on the island of L. Hulhimendhoo. This collaboration aligns with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision to expand practical, world-class training opportunities for students in the Maldives and advance […]
Tourism minister recommends tax, fee cuts to develop emerging tourism areas
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal on Friday emphasised the need to reduce taxes and tourism fees to support the development of tourism in areas where the industry is still emerging. He shared these remarks at the launch of Addu City’s tourism brand, an initiative aimed at boosting tourism in the southern region. Minister Faisal highlighted that […]
Maldives’ main airport’s new terminal to open in December 2024
Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal confirmed on Friday that the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) will be inaugurated by December. The announcement was made in the minister’s World Tourism Day message, highlighting the terminal’s significance to the country’s tourism industry. Faisal emphasised that the new terminal is a central part of the main […]
Fuvahmulah honours missing diver Mohamed Saeed for contributions to local tourism
The Fuvahmulah Tourism Awards 2024, held Friday night, recognised individuals and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the local tourism industry. Among the honourees was Mohamed Saeed, a renowned diver who tragically went missing in May 2022 while diving at a dive site. Saeed, a father of three, was posthumously awarded for his impact on […]
Maldives to amend 1991 diving regulations
Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has announced that the Maldives’ diving regulations, which date back to 1991, will soon be amended in response to concerns raised by the diving community. The announcement was made during the Fuvahmulah Tourism Awards 2024 ceremony, held in celebration of International Tourism Day and organised by the Fuvahmulah City Council. […]
Maldives restricts tourist vessel agency to Maldivians; introduces $5 per passenger fee
The Ministry of Tourism has introduced key amendments to the regulations governing the operation of foreign tourist vessels in the Maldives. The updated rules, which came into effect on Wednesday, aim to ensure that only local companies can act as agents for foreign vessels, while also imposing a new passenger license fee of $5 (MVR […]
Maldives extends resort rent deferral to 3 years for maintenance, upgrades
The Ministry of Tourism has introduced an amendment to its regulations, extending the rent deferral period for resorts undergoing maintenance or redevelopment to a maximum of three years. This extension applies if the resort suspends operations entirely during the upgrade process. The update, published in the government gazette, marks the third amendment to the Regulation […]
Maldives removes 3 islands, adds 6 lagoons and 1 island for tourism lease
The Ministry of Tourism has revised its list of islands and lagoons available for tourism development, removing three islands and adding six lagoons and one island in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. This update was issued on Monday as part of the third amendment to the ministry’s original list. The islands removed from the list are: Lh. […]
Chinese tourist arrivals exceed 200,000
The number of Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives this year has surpassed 200,000. As reported by the Ministry of Tourism, 202,613 tourists from China have visited the Maldives as of yesterday. This represents 15 percent of the 1.3 million total tourist arrivals recorded so far this year. Following China, the leading source markets are: Russia: […]
Maldives adds new island to resort development list
The Ministry of Tourism has added Lhaanbugali in Raa Atoll to the list of islands available for lease for resort development. The ministry announced on Wednesday that proposals are now open for the development of Lhaanbugali, with an acquisition fee set at USD 1.6 million. The island covers an area of 2.66 hectares. Additionally, the […]
Maldives targets 3 million annual tourists by 2026 with focus on India, China
The Maldives government is targeting to boost annual tourist arrivals to an unprecedented three million by 2026, according to Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal. Speaking on PSM’s ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme, Minister Faisal expressed confidence that the goal would be within reach following the completion of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), anticipated to […]
