Maldives Targets Three Million Tourist Arrivals by 2026, Says Tourism Minister

Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has announced that the Maldivian government aims to increase annual tourist arrivals to three million by 2026. 

He made this statement during an appearance on PSM’s ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme yesterday. Faisal expressed confidence that this target would be achievable with the anticipated completion of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), expected to be finished next year. 

advertisement

He also suggested that by the end of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, the Maldives could potentially reach up to four million tourist arrivals.

Tourism remains the primary revenue generator for the Maldivian economy, though Faisal noted a decline in tourism revenue despite increased visitor numbers. To address this, he emphasised a strategic focus on attracting tourists from India and China, aiming for 500,000 arrivals from these markets. Faisal believes that the Maldives could draw up to one million tourists from India and China combined.

This year, the Maldives is targeting a record two million tourist arrivals and has already welcomed over 1.2 million visitors. Faisal indicated that achieving this goal could be facilitated by concentrating efforts on the Indian market. 

Although India was previously the top source market for visitors, it has dropped to sixth place, with 73,258 arrivals as of August 7. In response, the Maldives has intensified its promotional activities targeting Indian travellers.

Faisal expressed hopes of reinstating India among the top three source markets for tourists by year-end. He also highlighted that the new passenger terminal at VIA will enable more airlines to operate flights to the Maldives, with ongoing discussions between the Tourism Ministry and the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) aimed at boosting tourism promotion.