According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, the Maldives saw a 2% decrease in December tourist arrivals, the busiest time of the year, compared to the same period the previous year. The number of December tourist arrivals fell from 63,523 in 2023 to 62,249 in 2024 between December 1 and December 11. The overall…
A new species of fish has been found in the pristine Maldives’ waters, marking a significant advancement in marine science. The species, Chromis Abadhah, is named after the Maldivian Dhivehi word Abadhah, which means forever and represents the continuous dedication to planetary protection. The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, which provided funding for the study, is…
A safety guideline detailing precautions to reduce mishaps during water sports and other tourist activities in the Maldives has been released by the Ministry of Tourism. In the guidelines, instances that have resulted in catastrophes involving visitors on beach and water-related excursions are addressed. The ministry said that a formal regulation to guarantee safer procedures…
The largest seaplane operator in the world, Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), has won two major awards at the 31st Annual World Travel Awards 2024, further solidifying its position as a worldwide aviation pioneer. TMA was recognized as the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2024 and the Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2024 at this year’s awards…
A significant milestone for Maldivian tourism will be reached from 17th December 2024 – 20th December 2024, when Air Arabia and the National Hotel and Guesthouse Association of Maldives (NHGAM) collaborate on the eagerly awaited “I AM Maldives” Roadshow, which will enthrall audiences in Georgia and Azerbaijan. This four-day event, organized in partnership with Visit…
According to the state budget, there will be 14.2 million bed nights and 2.2 million visitors overall in the upcoming year. In order to do this, the government is concentrating on finishing and opening the new airport terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), which is an essential part of its larger plan to expand the…
The new daily non-stop flights from Sharjah International Airport to Velana International Airport in Malé, Maldives, have been successfully inaugurated by Air Arabia, the premier low-cost airline in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) area. The Maldives are now more accessible than ever because of this vital route, which greatly expands travel possibilities for…
The non-profit organisation Olive Ridley Project (ORP) and the innovative luxury resort brand Soneva have announced the inauguration of the Noonu Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in the Maldives. The largest of ORP’s three sea turtle rehabilitation clinics on the island country, Soneva Jani, acts as a step-down facility for patients who are being prepared…
In the next legislative session, the Maldivian administration is expected to propose changes to the Maldives airport, with the Departure Tax Act and the Airport Development Fee Act seeing the changes. Travellers’ departure costs will be significantly altered by the proposed modifications to the Airport Departure Tax Act. The departure tax and Maldives airport development…
Tourism tax to see changes as the Maldives government intends to propose an amendment that would double the green tax from $6 to $12 per person per night and increase the Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) for visitors to 17%. One of the suggested modifications is an increase in the TGST, which is anticipated…