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…
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…