Maldives surpasses 2023 tourist arrival numbers; set for 2 million record for 2024
Maldives has achieved a milestone in its tourism sector, surpassing the total tourist arrivals recorded in 2023. By December 7, 2024, the country had welcomed 1,877,567 tourists, exceeding last year’s total of 1,723,838. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal announced the achievement on X on Sunday, sharing, “Proud to share that the Maldives has surpassed last year’s […]
Unlocking potential of Maldives: Role of private investment in transforming uninhabited islands
The Maldives is renowned for its breathtaking resorts and luxury tourism offerings, but it’s worth remembering that many of these iconic destinations started as uninhabited islands, devoid of infrastructure, facilities, or revenue generation. Hundreds of islands across the Maldives remain in this same undeveloped state today, contributing little to nothing the state or public in […]
President invites Indian investors, film stars to explore Maldives’ tourism opportunities
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives delivered a keynote address at a tourism and trade promotion event in Mumbai on Tuesday, emphasising the strong bond between Maldives and India, with a particular focus on the thriving tourism sector. The event, held during President Muizzu’s state visit to India, highlighted the potential for expanding tourism […]
Indian film stars return to Maldives for holidays after brief hiatus
After a period of reduced visits from Indian film stars, the Maldives is once again seeing an increase in high-profile visitors from the Indian entertainment industry. Prominent Bollywood stars and TV personalities have been choosing the Maldives as their preferred holiday destination, with some even celebrating birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other special occasions in the […]
India’s EaseMyTrip resumes Maldives bookings amid strengthened relations
EaseMyTrip, one of India’s leading online travel platforms, has resumed bookings to the Maldives following recent improvements in diplomatic relations between the two nations. The decision comes after a constructive discussion with the Maldives Ministry of Tourism and reflects the growing cooperation between India and the Maldives. Nishant Pitti, Co-Founder and CEO of EaseMyTrip, commented […]
Maldives enforces new foreign exchange rules: $500 per tourist at resorts, $25 at guesthouses
The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on Tuesday implemented new regulations requiring resorts and guesthouses to exchange a portion of their foreign currency earnings, effective immediately. Under these rules, tourism service providers must exchange foreign currency income based on tourist arrivals, with separate requirements for resorts and guesthouses. According to the regulations, Category A tourism service […]
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 […]
‘Welcome India’ event to propel India to third place in Maldives tourist arrivals: Faisal
The Welcome India tourism promotional event, held in three Indian cities last week, is expected to elevate India to the third-largest source of tourist arrivals to the Maldives, according to Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal. The event, organised jointly by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Maldives Association of Travel Agents & […]
Maldives tourism in precarious state, MATATO says
The Maldives Association for Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) on Thursday unveiled the findings of a recent survey highlighting the fragile state of the country’s tourism industry. MATATO’s President, Abdulla Giyas, presented the results of the survey, which involved more than 2,000 participants, at a press conference. Notably, these participants included not only local […]
Tourism Indicators: The future outlook for investments in the Maldives
This edition of the Hotelier Maldives Tourism Indicators looks at the ease of doing business in the Maldives in 2016.