Maldives to Implement 17% Tourism GST from 1 July 2025
The Maldives has reached a significant achievement in its tourism sector, with 2024 shaping up to be a record-breaking year. To date, Maldives has welcomed 1.88 international tourists, surpassing the 1.87 million arrivals recorded in 2023. This accomplishment highlights the Maldives’ ongoing appeal as one of the world’s most desirable destinations.
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal proudly shared that the Maldives has outpaced last year’s tourist arrival numbers, a significant achievement for the country. “This milestone highlights the dedication of our tourism sector and the invaluable support we receive from our visitors,” Minister Faisal stated on X. “We are fully committed to meeting our target of 2 million arrivals for 2024.”
The impressive surge in tourist arrivals to the Maldives in 2024 is the result of a series of carefully planned and executed strategies by the Ministry of Tourism aimed at ensuring the country’s place as a leading global destination. This growth can be attributed to a multi-faceted approach, including the diversification of source markets, expansion of destination marketing efforts, and the strengthening of partnerships with international airlines and key players in the global travel industry.
A key factor driving the growth in tourist arrivals to the Maldives has been the expansion of direct flight routes, which has significantly improved accessibility for travellers from a wide range of international markets. The addition of direct flights from airlines such as Azerbaijan Airlines and Malaysian Airlines has played a pivotal role in increasing convenience and reducing travel time for visitors from these regions, encouraging more tourists to choose the Maldives as their vacation destination.
In particular, direct flights from the China region have contributed to a remarkable surge in Chinese tourists, making China the Maldives’ number one source market. Airlines like Xiamen Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines have enhanced connectivity between the Maldives and major Chinese cities, making travel easier and more accessible for Chinese travellers. While Russia and China remained strong contributors to the increase in arrivals, emerging markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia also helped drive the overall growth in tourism.
With continued efforts to enhance accessibility, strengthen international partnerships, and promote the country’s natural beauty and luxury offerings, the Maldives is well on track to meet its ambitious goal of 2 million arrivals by the end of 2024.
The Maldives’ tourism sector continues to grow, surpassing 1.8 million arrivals and securing the title of World’s Leading Destination for the fifth consecutive year at the 2024 World Travel Awards. This growth sets the stage for an even brighter future in global tourism, with exciting developments already on the horizon for 2025. One of the key milestones will be the opening of the new terminal at Velana International Airport, which is designed to accommodate growing passenger traffic. This expansion will significantly enhance the Maldives’ capacity to accommodate growing international demand, further boosting its appeal as a top destination for global travellers.
Photo Credits: Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa
