Maldives Aims to Welcome 2.5 Million Tourists in 2026

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced that his administration aims to welcome 2.5 million tourists in 2026, an increase of 11.3 percent compared to the previous year.

The tourist arrivals target for 2025 was set at 2.3 million. By the end of the year, the Maldives welcomed 2.2 million visitors, falling short of the target but recording a nine percent increase compared to 2024.

President Muizzu made the remarks during his presidential address at the opening of the first parliamentary session of the year today, stating that achieving the new target would require collective efforts to promote Maldivian tourism.

Citing statistics from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the President said the tourism sector generated USD 5.5 billion (MVR 85 billion) in 2025 and is projected to generate USD 5.6 billion (MVR 86.6 billion) this year.

“To achieve this goal, we will declare 2027 as Visit Maldives Year. This will be a major initiative carried out in collaboration with stakeholders across the tourism sector, including national and international partners,” he said.

The President noted that no new resorts or tourist hotels opened in 2023. However, over the past two years, 6,535 new tourist beds were added, he noted. These include 1,473 beds from three resorts opened in 2024 and three resorts opened in 2025. In the same two-year window, 708 beds from three tourist hotels, 3,574 beds from 194 guesthouses, 463 beds from 22 tourist vessels, and 316 beds from homestays were also added, he said.

President Muizzu said seven new resorts are expected to open this year. He added that the government aims to ensure tourism development benefits the entire country, including by opening investment opportunities in six atolls where tourism remains underdeveloped. These opportunities include halal tourism projects.

According to the President, eight locations have been awarded, and six lease agreements have been signed.

“Additionally, one island for halal tourism has been rented,” he said.