At FITUR 2025, the year’s first significant travel trade show, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) and 25 industry partners presented the Maldives’ varied experiences. The dates of this event were 22nd January 2025 – 26th January 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Professionals in the tourism business as well as inbound and outbound…
SAMANA Developers, a real estate firm based in Dubai, has made its debut in branded homes with the unveiling of a $598 million luxury project in the Maldives (pictured above is SAMANA Mykonos at Dubai Studio City, Dubai). The 507,651 square foot, 190-key property will have poolside apartments, over-water bungalows, and beachfront villas. SAMANA Ocean…
Despite a brief shutdown from June to September for a runway expansion project, Maafaru International Airport saw an impressive amount of aircraft movements by the end of 2024, under the watchful eye of Island Aviation Services Limited. With 98 private jet movements, December 2024 ended on a high note, highlighting the airport’s crucial role as…
As part of a major expansion of its global network, Maldivian direct flights to China have been announced to three major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. An important step in enhancing travel relations between the Maldives and China is this strategic route expansion, which comes after the airline just added the Airbus A330-200, its…
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) for the 2024 – 2025 term was held on 26th January 2025. A new executive board was chosen at the meeting to supervise the association’s operations and projects. The elected board members are: Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, President Mohamed Khaleel,…
With the debut of the Airbus A330-200, Maldivian, the Maldives’ national airline, has begun its first wide-body flights. The airline, which started out in 2000 with a small fleet of two aircraft, has expanded significantly since reaching this historic milestone. Along with Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, a number of government dignitaries, and senior officials,…
With the opening of direct flights to China in 2025, Maldivian is set to make a substantial contribution to the Maldives’ tourism industry. Beginning in early 2025, the airline will offer flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, three important Chinese cities, using its new wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The additional flights are anticipated to transport…
Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the “Most Romantic Places in the World” places the Maldives as one of the world’s most romantic destinations, which has long been associated with romance, front and center. The magazine sets the bar for romantic getaways by showcasing the archipelago’s unmatched capacity to provide couples with idyllic retreats. Enchantment starts…
With effect from 1st July 2025, the Maldives’ Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) rate will increase from 16% to 17%. The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has approved this modification, which is a component of the 7th amendment to the Goods and Services Tax Act. Its goal is to help the Maldives’ thriving tourism…
The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) indicated that the country’s green tax rates are to change significantly starting on 1st January 2025. The revised tariffs will be applicable to all tourist establishments, including resorts, guesthouses, and vessels, in accordance with the 14th amendment to the Maldives Tourism Act. Green Tax in Maldives will double for…