- A high-level Maldivian delegation led by Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen will visit Russia from 17-21 August 2026, covering Moscow and St Petersburg.
- Russia is the Maldives' second-largest source market, contributing 192,453 visitors (14.7%) as of 11 August 2026, with talks focused on boosting direct flight capacity and aviation cooperation.
- The visit supports destination visibility, joint promotional activities, and preparations for Visit Maldives Year 2027, including meetings with tour operators and two industry networking events.
The Maldives will undertake a high-level official visit to the Russian Federation from 17 to 21 August 2026, with the delegation set to engage government officials, travel trade partners and aviation stakeholders to strengthen tourism ties, support visitor demand and explore enhanced air connectivity between the two countries.
Led by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, the five-day visit will cover Moscow and St Petersburg. The delegation comprises senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), national carrier Maldivian, and leading private-sector tourism stakeholders.
Russia remains one of the Maldives’ key international visitor markets. As of 11 August 2026, the Maldives had welcomed 191,530 Russian visitors, accounting for 14.7 per cent of total tourist arrivals and making Russia the country’s second-largest source market.
As part of the visit, the delegation will hold bilateral discussions with senior representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation, with a focus on increasing direct flight capacity, strengthening civil aviation cooperation and addressing logistical challenges affecting connectivity between the two countries.
“Russia has been a steadfast friend of the Maldives, and we are grateful to every traveller who has chosen our islands,” said Minister Mohamed Ameen ahead of the visit. “This visit is about listening to our partners, keeping our guests connected to our shores, and preparing together for Visit Maldives Year 2027. We travel with hope, and with the interests of our people at heart.”
The delegation will also meet leading Russian tour operators, travel trade organisations, digital booking platforms and hospitality brands in Moscow and St Petersburg. Discussions will focus on current market trends, evolving traveller preferences and opportunities for joint promotional activities ahead of the upcoming winter travel season.
Two industry networking events will also be held during the visit, bringing together Russian travel trade representatives, commercial partners and members of the media. The events will provide an opportunity to strengthen industry relationships and present the latest tourism products and experiences available in the Maldives.
The visit brings together representatives from tourism, aviation, destination marketing and the private sector to facilitate coordinated discussions on aviation policy, market development and commercial promotion.
The initiative forms part of the Maldives’ broader efforts to maintain destination visibility in the Russian and wider Eastern European markets while strengthening the foundations for Visit Maldives Year 2027, the national tourism promotion campaign aimed at supporting sustained visitor growth.
