Author: Mohamed Reehaan
The Maldives government has decided to revise its amendment requiring tour operators to pay Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) just three days after implementation, citing significant industry concerns. The government gazetted the controversial legal amendment on August 31 despite industry-wide concerns, both locally and internationally. The government began taxing according to this amendment on Thursday, last week. Minister of Tourism, Mohamed Ameen announced President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to amend the law to tax foreign tour operators during a ceremony held to mark the Tourism Day. “Several industry stakeholders and travel agents have made formal requests to the President…
The first-ever Maldivian magazine centered on the country’s rich biodiversity has been officially launched. At a ceremony held in Fuvahmulah City, where the magazine’s founder hails from, the biannual magazine was launched by the Managing Director of Pelagic Divers Fuvahmulah, Ahmed Inah. Published in English language, the magazine aims to promote the natural and scenic beauty of the island nation along with its rich history, customs and traditions to a wider global audience. Fuvahmulah-born Yasir Salih, the owner and presumably Managing Editor of the magazine has launched this as a solo venture. The contents of the magazine are categorized into…
MasterChef Sri Lanka will bring its competition to the Maldivian shores in a special episode, touted to feature the local cuisines juxtaposed with beautiful tropical sceneries. According to Visit Maldives, Maldives will “take centre stage” on MasterChef Sri Lanka on October 5 at 22:00hrs on Maldives national television, TVM, with a special destination episode. The special episode will feature Maldivian cuisine, culture and hospitality. This episode comes through the collaboration between Maldives Holiday Collections (MHC Group) and Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) as Official Destination Partner. As Official Destination Partner, Visit Maldives supported the production as part of its efforts to…
The Chinese traveler market remains an important and significant component of the total tourist arrivals to the Maldives. With the boost of the Chinese market, total tourist arrivals to the Maldives has already crossed 1.6 million so far in 2026. Statistics confirm total arrivals at exactly 1,603,021. According to Tourism Ministry statistics, Chinese traveler market has clocked over 300,000 arrivals so far. This marks a 19 percent of the total tourist arrivals to the Maldives. Additionally, this year’s arrival figure of the market stands 14 percent above previous years, which clocked out at 263,599 by year end. China maintains its…
Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM), a subsidiary of the State Trading Organization (STO) Friday confirms the inauguration of a new fuel outlet outside of Greater Male’ region. The nationwide fuel supplier has opened its latest outlet in Noonu Atoll Manadhoo. This addition is a testament to the current administration’s commitment towards easing fuel access to local fishers who both reside in and travel across various parts of the country for their labor. Parent company STO assisted FSM in their efforts to construct and develop this fuel station in Manadhoo. They inaugurated the fuel station in a special ceremony held for the…
The national carrier Maldivian has reopened its seaplane terminal after an upgrade that doubles the space available to passengers. Mohamed Ameen, the minister responsible for civil aviation, opened the terminal at a ceremony on Tuesday. Ibrahim Iyas, managing director of Island Aviation Services, which operates Maldivian, attended along with senior company officials. The indoor area can now handle 90 passengers at a time, with room for a further 40 in an outdoor section. The old terminal held roughly half that. What has actually changed? The terminal has been designed around Maldivian scenery and culture, and the additions include an outdoor…
SIMDI Group has opened a Rip Curl store in Kaafu atoll Maafushi, taking the Australian surf brand into a local island for the first time. The outlet stocks surf wear, swimwear, beachwear and casual lifestyle ranges for men, women and children. It was opened by SIMDI Group chairman Ibrahim Mohamed Didi, chief executive Dr. Mariyam Shakeela, and Edwin Stevens on behalf of Rip Curl, with guests and members of the local community attending. Maafushi is the fifth Rip Curl location in the country. The brand already trades at Crossroads Maldives, Niyama Private Islands, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi and Hulhumalé. Why Maafushi?…
Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib has said the agreement signed with Abu Dhabi’s Eagle Hills to develop The Maldives Waterfront and Marina at Rasmalé is the largest investment in the country’s history, and that was secured without the state granting any tax concession and without the government taking on any debt. Speaking to the media after the signing, the minister said that the state will earn direct revenue from the various goods and services sold under the project, and that billions of dollars in foreign investment will circulate through the Maldivian banking system. He added that the project will deliver…
One of Russia’s largest domestic carriers, S7 Airlines, has announced its direct flight operations to the Maldives; scheduled from Novosibirsk to Malé from October 30, 2026 onward. This marks the first-ever regular service connecting Novosibirsk to the Maldives outside the Moscow aviation hub. The airline reportedly will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays using its Airbus A320 flights. The outbound flight departs Tolmachevo International Airport (OVB) in Novosibirsk at 04:25hrs, arriving at Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé at 13:00hrs local time. The return flight leaves Malé at 14:10hrs and arrives back in Novosibirsk at 02:30hrs the following morning.…
The Maldives government has signed an agreement with Adu Dhabi-based property developer Eagle Hills to build a waterfront and marina destination at Rasmalé, the new city rising out of the Fushidhiggaru lagoon near Malé. The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Dubai on Monday by Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib, on behalf of the Maldives government and Eagle Hills founder and chairman Mohamed Alabbar on behalf of the company. The project is entitled Maldives Waterfront and Marina. Locally, the deal has been reported as a USD 20 billion investment – approximately MVR 308 billion, a…