Tourism leaders call for wider consultation as industry faces growing pressures

Tourism industry leaders have called for broader consultation with the government and greater use of data in policymaking as the sector faces pressures from domestic policy changes and external developments.

The concerns were raised at the Hotelier Maldives General Managers (GM) Forum 2026, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on Monday with around 200 representatives from the tourism industry.

While participants highlighted challenges facing the sector, they also expressed confidence in the ability of Maldives tourism to adapt, pointing to its recovery from previous crises.

Mohamed Khaleel, Managing Director of Pulse Hotels & Resorts, said cooperation between the government and industry was necessary to find solutions.

“I believe we can move forward by finding common ground through consultations between the government and the industry,” Khaleel said. “Dialogue needs to take place from both sides, and it needs to be productive and inclusive.”

Khaleel said industry associations, including the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), should hold more open consultations with tourism stakeholders.

He said discussions held behind closed doors alone would not produce the required results and called for forums where the challenges facing the sector could be discussed openly.

“We need open forums like this where we can openly discuss the challenges we face, in addition to discussions held behind closed doors,” he said.

Khaleel said MATI and MATATO had a responsibility to gather industry views and present evidence-based recommendations to the government.

“Discussions held only behind closed doors will not provide a solution,” he said. “MATI and MATATO need to work on this from every angle. These associations cannot simply agree with everything.”

Despite the current pressures, Khaleel said the industry had demonstrated its ability to recover from major disruptions.

“Maldives recovered after the tsunami. Tourism came back even stronger after Covid,” he said. “Maldives tourism has always demonstrated its ability to recover from challenges like these. It will happen this time as well.”

He urged tourism businesses to become more active in industry associations and encourage them to raise concerns and engage with the government rather than limiting their involvement to paying membership fees.

Among the main issues raised by participants at the forum were the requirement for resorts to convert 40 per cent of their foreign currency revenue through the domestic banking system and changes extending the 17 per cent Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) framework to overseas travel businesses selling Maldives tourism products.

Mark Eletr, General Manager of Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, said governments should consider the consequences for major industries when introducing policies affecting the economy.

“I understand that the state has debts that need to be repaid,” Eletr said. “But that should not be done by killing industries.”

He said the impact on tourism should be considered when decisions affecting the sector are made, given its importance to the Maldivian economy.

Abdulla Yasir, Managing Director of Visit Maldives, said the organisation was working to provide the tourism industry with updated data on developments affecting the sector.

He said policy decisions based on reliable information and evidence would help the industry respond to the challenges it faces.

“We are working to provide data on the changes taking place,” Yasir said. “I believe that when decisions are made based on accurate information, policies can be formulated to overcome these challenges.”

Yasir also cautioned against overstating difficulties facing the industry, saying this could create unnecessary concern among people considering travelling to the Maldives.

“It is important to pay attention to the situations we face and to be prepared,” he said. “But we also need to ensure that tourists are provided with accurate information about those situations.”

The discussions at the GM Forum came as tourism businesses assess the impact of changes to foreign exchange and tax policies, while the government and industry continue consultations on measures affecting the sector.

Established in 2016, the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum provides an annual platform for hospitality leaders and businesses serving the tourism sector to exchange perspectives on operational and strategic issues. The 2026 gathering marked the forum’s 10th edition.

A range of companies supporting different areas of the tourism industry partnered with GM Forum 2026.

Dhiraagu was the Premier Sponsor, while STO Energy was the Platinum Sponsor. Bank of Maldives (BML) was the Banking Partner, Dhivehi Insurance was the Insurance Partner, and Male’ Aerated Water Company (MAWC) was the Beverage Partner.

The Silver Sponsors were Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Villa Hakatha, Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) and Atoll Solar.

ALIA, Uniforms Unlimited, Maldives Insider and Blue N White supported the forum as Associate Sponsors.

Souvenir Marine was the Transport Partner, Manta Air was the Aviation Partner, and Storm Events was the Organising Partner.

Through its 2026 programme and partnerships, the GM Forum brought together resort leadership and the businesses supporting hospitality operations to examine how the sector can strengthen resilience while adapting its people, technology and operating models.