Building on the remarkable momentum of 2024, a record-breaking year for the Maldives tourist industry, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) has stated that the Maldives has set an ambitious aim of $5 billion in tourism receipts for 2025. At a press conference held at MMPRC offices on 29th December 2024, MMPRC Chairperson Mr. Abdulla Ghiyas and CEO & MD Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree made the announcement.
With record-breaking daily and monthly arrivals in February, the resort smashed new records and welcomed an incredible 2 million tourists. According to MMPRC, extensive marketing activities were crucial to this achievement. This featured 23 roadshows and fairs, 15 effective social media campaigns, and 23 captivating online events, the most notable of which was the ‘Discover Maldives’ Webinar Series, that introduced many important markets to the distinctive experiences of the Maldives.
To further increase its presence in these important markets, the Maldives also secured its largest-ever representation at ITB Berlin 2024 and ATM Dubai 2024, and for the first time, it was the Host Country sponsor at ITB China in Shanghai. Additionally, MMPRC introduced ‘The World’s Biggest Giveaway 2025’ at WTM London, one of the most anticipated promotions in the world, which will start early 2025. The growth of the tourism industry was also aided by improved accessibility to the Maldives, as the location became even more accessible with new airline routes and more regular flights.
In an effort to promote industry development and group expansion, MMPRC organized the first Data Forum 2024, the biggest of its type in the SEA region, together with the Tourism Symposium 2024. As part of the efforts to improve businesses and the travel experience in the tourist and ancillary sectors, we struck important agreements with Fliggy, Weixin Pay, MATI, NHGAM, Maldives Immigration, Maldivian Airlines, and ADK Hospital.
The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) reported an 8% increase in tourism-related government tax income during the same period, while the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) reported a noteworthy 15% increase in tourism receipts in 2024 compared to the previous year. Along with receiving many honors, the Maldives was named the World’s Leading Green Destination for the first time and the World’s Leading Destination for the fifth year in a row at the World Travel Awards. Eleven years have passed since the Maldives first reached the noteworthy milestone of one million visitors per year in 2024.
