Author: Mohamed Reehaan
According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals to the Maldives so far this year has surpassed 400,000. This represents a significant growth compared to the corresponding period last year. As per the data from the ministry, Maldives has welcomed a total of 418,034 tourists as of February 21, 2026. This is a 9.5% increment compared to the 381,870 arrivals recording during the same period in the previous year. The tourism ministry data also reveals that the country currently sees an average daily influx of approximately 8000 visitors. In terms of accommodation preferences, resorts remain the…
Nova Maldives has announced that it has been recently awarded ‘Best of Barefoot 2026′ at the Stop Over Reisen Awards 2026. The Stop Over Reisen, a leading luxury tour operator with more than 35 years of expertise in curating high-end Maldivian escapes, presents the annual awards to celebrate the resorts that have most captured guests’ hearts. The awards are given entirely based on client votes, which reflect genuine guest experiences and the meaningful connections they formed during their stays. The General Manager of the resort, Abdulla Aboobakuru said that this recognition was meaningful as it “came directly from guests” and…
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives reports strong demand from the Chinese market this Lunar New Year. The resort confirms reaching high occupancy levels and limited villa availability throughout the festive period, which “reflects a growing appetite among Chinese travelers.” With the growth in Chinese arrivals, and to commemorate the Chinese New Year, the resort announces The Lunar Retreat: New Moon, New Memories. A festive period that invites couples to “plan a future escape to the Maldives at a time that allows for deeper relaxation, reflection and connection.” According to Grand Park, the experience is now available for direct booking via the…
The first-ever outdoor gym developed in Hulhumale’ Phase 2 has officially opened. Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Managing Director Ali Zuhair opened the new facility at a special ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon. Located adjacent to the futsal turf pitch in Hulhumale’ Phase 2, this newly developed gym features 22 different types of outdoor exercise equipment. HDC stated that the establishment of this gym is a vital initiative aimed at promoting well-being of Hulhumale’ residents and fostering a healthier community. The new outdoor gym will serve as an environment that facilitates a healthy lifestyle for the residents of Phase 2. The…
The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has increased the amount of foreign currency allocated to commercial banks to facilitate the seamless import of food supplies by businesses, coinciding with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The central bank announced that for a period of three weeks starting from Wednesday, February 18, it will increase the supply of foreign exchange beyond its regular allocation. MMA stated that it would release 32% more foreign currency to banks compared to the standard amount. According to MMA, this measure was taken to alleviate the pressure caused by the heightened demand for foreign exchange by commercial…
State Trading Organization (STO) has officially opened its new People’s Choice outlet in Hulhumale’. The opening ceremony was held on Tuesday evening, February 17, at the newly established premises in Hulhumale’. The event was graced by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed as the chief guest. With the rapid growth of the population in Hulhumale’, the lack of a direct STO presence had been a frequent concern for residents. The establishment of this new outlet aims to address these concerns by providing residents with convenient access to STO’s wide range of products. In preparation for Ramadan, which…
The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has released a fresh batch of MVR 20 banknotes to the Maldivian market. The central bank released the new stock of MVR 20 banknotes into circulation following a shortage, and in a statement said the new stock will replenish the dwindling stocks. However, MMA did not disclose the exact value of the fresh stock introduced to the market. MMA has previously taken similar measures, such as reprinting the MVR 100 denomination to address market demand. Those notes were added to the circulation with subtle enhancements, including the incorporation of the official Maldivian Rufiyaa symbol on…
Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) on Sunday reports collecting a total revenue of MVR 4.4 billion in January 2026. According to MIRA, this is a 33.1% increment from the corresponding period of last year, but a 4.6% decline from the forecasts. MIRA credits this increment to the rise in the collections of Bank Profit Tax, Land Acquisition and Conversion Fee, and Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST). Additionally, a 7.4% increase in tourist arrivals in December 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, contributed to the increment in Green Tax and airport taxes in January. The taxation authority further…
The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on Thursday, announced its operating hours for the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The Maldives central bank in a statement confirmed it would operate from morning 09:00hrs until 13:00hrs during Ramadan and on the first seven days of Shawwal, the Islamic calendar month that follows. MMA said its banking services will be open from 09:30hrs until 12:00hrs. Additionally, it will be accepting letters and similar documents during the same operating hours.
Dhiraagu, on Thursday, has announced the lucky winners of its ongoing ‘Roadha Ready’ promotion. This is the second week of the ongoing promotion, where winners will be announced weekly. First week winners received a gift voucher of MVR 5000 sponsored from local retail chain, RedWave. This week’s winners received a voucher of MVR 5000 sponsored from Villa Mart. Dhiraagu adds that a total of 21 lucky winners will be announced throughout the entire promotion, and each week’s gift vouchers will be sponsored by popular retail chains in the country. Additionally, one lucky winner, selected on a weekly basis, will receive…