Maldives Tourism News
Tourism is the Maldives' largest industry, bringing visitors to resorts, guesthouses and liveaboards across the atolls. Follow arrival numbers, airline routes, new openings, rules for visitors and the changes affecting the people who work in tourism.
Maafushi, Maldives travel guide: ferry, guesthouses and local rules
Maafushi is a local island in Kaafu Atoll with 40 registered guesthouses. How to get there from Velana airport, what to do, where to stay and the rules for visitors.
490 Sun Siyam staff, guests join Pink Ribbon Run/Walk
Sun Siyam Resorts said 490 staff and guests joined the Cancer Society of Maldives' Pink Ribbon Run/Walk 2026 at five resorts and its Malé head office, contributing MVR 122,060.
MMA reminds foreign currency earners to convert September income before 28 October
The central bank says entities that miss the monthly foreign currency conversion deadline under the Foreign Currency Act will be named publicly.
Ras Malé to earn eight times more tourism GST than a resort, minister says
Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib said Ras Malé would bring the state about USD 340 million a year in tourism GST and pledged to protect resort businesses.
Government moves to repeal tourism tax on foreign tour operators
A government bill submitted to Parliament on Tuesday would scrap the requirement for foreign tour operators, travel agencies and booking platforms to pay Tourism GST, weeks after it took effect.
Government cuts cost of tourism island leases in six atolls
The Tourism Ministry has lowered the cost of acquiring islands under the cross-subsidy scheme in Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Laamu and Addu, cutting base and per-hectare rates and halving the premium on large islands.
Tourist arrivals claw back to last year’s level after spring slump
October arrivals are running marginally ahead of last year, Tourism Ministry figures show, after a slump that wiped nearly a quarter off April.
Seaplane, domestic flight, speedboat or ferry: how to reach your island in the Maldives
Almost every visitor lands at one airport and then faces a second journey. A guide to which transfer suits which atoll, why your arrival time matters, the taxes you will actually pay, and the entry formalities.
Economy grew 2.4% in August, led by finance, trade and construction
Economic output in August reached MVR 9.64 billion, up 2.4 percent on a year earlier and 5.4 percent on July, according to the Maldives Bureau of Statistics.
Maldives ranked world's second-best island destination for 2026
The Maldives came second in the islands category of the 2026 World's Best Awards by Travel + Leisure, with a reader score of 95.38, behind Thailand's Koh Samui.
Avaani Maldives resort opens in North Malé Atoll
Pulse Hotels and Resorts has announced the opening of Avaani Maldives, an eco-focused resort in North Malé Atoll about 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.
Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic add Maldives flights for winter season
Qatar Airways will fly three times a day between Doha and Malé from 25 October, and Virgin Atlantic's direct London service returns on 27 October, adding seats into Velana International Airport as the high season begins.
German honorary consulate in Maldives temporarily shut
The Honorary Consulate of Germany in Malé has temporarily shut down until further notice, the German Federal Foreign Office said, with emergency help directed to Colombo.
Explainer: 17% TGST on foreign tour operators delayed to April 2027
The 17% Tourism Goods and Services Tax on foreign tour operators, travel agents and booking platforms will now take effect on 1 April 2027, not 1 October 2026, after the government postponed it.
Tourist arrivals down 3.5% at 1.61 million, ministry figures show
The Maldives recorded 1,611,434 tourist arrivals as of 7 October, down 3.5% from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Government to act on 161 stalled resort sites, minister says
Tourism Minister Mohamed Ameen says 161 islands and lagoons leased for resorts remain undeveloped, and that enforcement of new rules allowing leases to be terminated will start within a week. No lease has been terminated yet.
Italy becomes fifth market to send over 100,000 visitors to Maldives this year
Tourism Ministry figures show 100,186 Italian visitors have arrived so far in 2026, making Italy the fifth source market to pass 100,000, as total arrivals reach 1.6 million.
Nilaa Coral Island opens as Gaafu Dhaalu's third resort
The Tourism Ministry has announced the opening of Nilaa Coral Island Maldives on Gdh. Kodegalaa, a seven-villa resort for up to 40 guests and the third resort in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
Maldives property investment opportunities span resorts and residential housing
Tourism properties and residential developments offer potential investment opportunities in the Maldives, although the available outline lacks project details and supporting market data.
Maldives highlights land leases and foreign ownership in investment pitch
The Maldives is promoting foreign investment in construction, agribusiness, transport, energy and finance, highlighting ownership options, long land leases and expanded infrastructure.