The Maldivian government has set an ambitious target of welcoming three million tourists annually by 2026. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal made this announcement recently, emphasising the significance of the tourism sector as the largest revenue generator for the Maldivian economy.
Minister Faisal highlighted the upcoming completion of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) as a key factor in reaching this milestone. The government aims to capitalise on the Indian and Chinese markets, with plans to attract 500,000 tourists from each country.
Despite the positive outlook, the Maldives has experienced a decline in overall tourism revenue despite an increase in tourist numbers. In response, efforts are underway to promote the Maldives as a premier destination for Indian travellers through strategic partnerships and initiatives.
Minister Faisal remains optimistic, attributing the expected completion of the new VIA terminal as a catalyst for attracting more airlines and increasing tourist inflows. The Tourism Ministry is working closely with the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) on promotional activities, and discussions with Indian officials have focused on improving connectivity and boosting Indian tourism to the Maldives.
As of now, the Maldives has welcomed 1,254,646 tourists and is aiming to reach a total of 2 million by the end of 2024.
While the government expresses clear aspirations, achieving the target of three million tourist arrivals by 2026 will require sustained efforts and a turnabout in the recent decline in key markets.
Feature Photo: Vakkaru Maldives
