In a world challenged by new and unprecedented developments, from a slowdown in global trade to digital disruption, demographic change, and climate change, the Maldives represents a remarkable story and development success. The key engine of our sustainable growth is tourism. Over the past five decades, the Maldives has transformed from an isolated island nation in the heart of the Indian Ocean into a globally renowned luxury tourism destination, attracting over 2 million visitors in 2025.
The Maldives is an archipelago of more than 1,200 coral islands, spread across 26 atolls, and blessed with natural beauty and vibrant marine life. The country’s unique geography mesmerizes the visitor. Reefs that offer bands of color, tiny jewel-like islands rimmed with the whitest of soft sand, surrounded by the clearest shallow waters that one can imagine.
Our pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, and hospitality have been the cornerstone of our success – and Europe has been a key partner in this journey. In 2024, we first achieved the milestone of welcoming over 2 million tourists, with European travellers comprising around 59 percent of the total arrivals. It all began with Kurumba’s opening in 1972, the nation’s first resort on Vihamanaafushi Island in the North Malé Atoll, laying the foundation for the Maldives’ rise as the world’s premier tourism destination.
Today, the Maldives offers a wide variety of accommodations – from ultra-luxurious private island resorts to charming locally owned guest houses and safaris. There are over 200 resorts that practice the one island, one hotel concept. As of 2026, over 1.200 guesthouses operate across approximately 90 local inhabited islands, allowing travellers to experience authentic Maldivian culture. We have also been successful in establishing the first resort that runs on 100% renewable energy and have pioneered innovations like underwater spas and restaurants.
To support this growth, we are making significant investments in infrastructure that will make travel to and from the Maldives more seamless than ever. The opening of the new passenger terminal at Velana International, designed to cater for 7.5 million passengers annually, will support increased visitor numbers and ensure a more seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
Notwithstanding the many strides we have made within a very short timeframe in human, social, and economic development, the Maldives has still not reached its full potential. More importantly, the benefits of this development have not reached all Maldivians.
In this respect, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially designated 2027 as “Visit Maldives Year,” signalling the start of a transformative national campaign aimed at elevating the Maldives’ tourism sector to record heights. The campaign will serve as a unified platform, bringing together domestic and international stakeholders to fortify the nation’s primary economic engine. The initiative is also intended to commemorate 55 years of tourism in the Maldives.
To achieve the ambitious targets set for 2027, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), in coordination with a specialised Steering Committee under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, has already activated an aggressive international promotion strategy for 2026-2027. The first quarter of 2026 has already seen a significant acceleration in global marketing activities, characterized by a high-impact presence at premier international forums.
In January, the Maldives successfully participated in FITUR 2026 in Madrid, where the delegation engaged with over 50,000 industry professionals and trade experts to showcase the diverse investment landscape and evolving travel opportunities within the archipelago. This was followed by a strategic activation at the Travel & Adventure Show in New York. Building on this momentum, the Maldives is set to maintain a rigorous schedule of high-profile global engagements throughout the year.
Yet the next phase of tourism in the Maldives extends beyond conventional models, as evidenced by the recently announced “Project Ayla” – the Maldives’ first sustainable township development project. Projects like Ayla will elevate the Maldives from a holiday destination to a place to live, invest, and build long-term value. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the development will feature luxury residences and an ultra-luxury resort with a marina, alongside an international-standard healthcare facility and a world-class school of hospitality and leadership. It will operate on at least 60 per cent renewable energy with integrated sustainable aquaculture and agriculture systems.
At a time when the geopolitical landscape has rarely been more complex, tourism remains a force for peace, stability, and prosperity for all. The Maldives is committed to thinking differently; to innovate, adapt, and to find solutions that are practical, scalable, and durable. Our aim is to create a model of living where tourism, community well-being, and conservation coexist in harmony.
