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 number of visitors to the Maldives this year has risen in comparison to 2023, notwithstanding this decrease. 1.89 million tourists had arrived in the Maldives as of December 11, 2024, an 8.7% increase over the 1.87 million visitors that arrived in 2023.
The implementation of higher taxes related to tourism coincides with the decline in December arrivals. New departure tax and airport development charge rates went into effect on 1st of December:
- Foreign economy class passengers are charged $50 USD
- Business class passengers are charged $120 USD
- First-class passengers are charged $240 USD
- Passengers on private jets are charged $480 USD
There will be further tax rises in the upcoming months:
- Green tax: Starting in January, guesthouses with fewer than 50 rooms will pay a $6 tax instead of $3. The tax will go up from $6 to $12 for resorts, city hotels, and establishments with more than 50 rooms
- The Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) will increase from 16% to 17% beginning in July
With these tax revisions, the government expects to raise an extra MVR 3 billion in income. Industry insiders, however, are worried that the increased taxes would make the Maldives a more costly travel destination, which could have an impact on future visitor numbers.
