Author: Mohamed Reehaan

The Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) recently grabbed the “Seaplane Company Global Winner” accolade at the 2021 World Luxury Travel Awards. Moreover, the awarding and gala was held by the Trou aus Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa in Mauritius on 09th October, Saturday. The World Luxury Travel Awards is a prestigious awarding event recognizing world-class service excellence and the awards may be presented to a country, regional, continental or on a global basis. Furthermore, the winners are selected by votes from guests, travelers and industry stakeholders. Following their win at the World Luxury Travel Awards, TMA has expressed gratitude to…

According to Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) the state revenue collection hit MVR1,981.6 million (MVR1.98 billion) in September 2021. Moreover, as per the taxation and revenue authority the revenue to state in the review month observed an increment of 133.5% when compared with the same month in 2020. MIRA had reported that the significant increment of revenue in the review month comes due to increase in the collection of Income Tax, Tourism Land Rent, TGST, GGST, Green Tax, Airport Taxes and Fees. Tourism Land Rent collection showed significant increase owing to the deference of the rent of Q4-2020, which were…

According to the latest reports from Ministry of Tourism, the total tourist arrivals to the Maldives as of 05th October has reached 890,363. Moreover, the total tourist arrivals to Maldives exclusively from 01st to 05th October stood at 19,501 which is a 521.1% improvement from the same period in 2020, where the arrival count stood at just 3,140. However, when compared with the same period in 2019, the arrival count in the review period is still a negative 15.6% since the arrival total in that corresponding period in 2019 stood at 23,111. India continues to remain as the top tourist…

In commemoration of the ‘World Customer Service Week’ that ran from 04th to 08th October, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has launched their ‘Hinithunvumaa Eku’ campaign. According to the state-owned enterprise, the campaign aims to promote awareness and importance of customer service among the company staff. Moreover, the campaign aims to improve the experience of customers receiving services from MTCC as well as build a stronger rapport between customers and employees of the corporation. During a special ceremony held at MTCC headquarters on Monday, 11th October, the campaign was officiated by the company’s Chief Operating Officer Mr. Shahid Hussain…

The cumulative total of state revenue as of 30th September increased to MVR14,768.0 million (MVR14.8 billion), constraining the gap of budget deficit. As such, Ministry of Finance reported that the overall balance by the final week of the month ended stood at MVR7,137.9 million (MVR7.1 billion), which had earlier stretched to MVR7.9 billion. Meanwhile, the cumulative total of state expenditure as of the review period reached MVR21,815.9 million (MVR21.8 billion). The most significant income receipts were generated from Business Profit Tax, other property tax, rent from resorts along with General Goods and Services Tax (GGST). Furthermore, the cumulative total of…

The Bank of Maldives (BML) on Sunday, 10th October, commemorating the World Mental Health Day, announced their commitment to promote positive mental well-being in the workplace. Moreover, to achieve this the bank will work through partnerships with leading institutions to provide support programs and professional services for employees across the country. In order to promote the initiative, BML has partnered up with Thibaa Psychology, Society for Health Education (SHE) and the Institute of Mental Well-Being (IMWB) to offer regular consultations and counselling programs for the bank’s staff. Furthermore, the bank will cover the cost of individual consultation sessions for employees…

Visit Maldives has launched ‘Redefining MICE’ global campaign in order to promote the island nation as a preferable MICE destination. Moreover, the campaign was launched during a special luncheon held on the sidelines of the MICE India and Luxury Travel (MILT) Congress 2021, held at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Tuesday 05th October. MICE Tourism stands for ‘Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions’ which is a growing tourism trend across the globe which attracts tourists visiting for large-scale meetings and events while the main goal of the tourism concept is to bring together professionals of any given industry and foster connections between…

Authentic Maldives has opened a new outlet of theirs at Kuda Vilingili Resort, which was officially inaugurated by Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom. Furthermore, this marks the fourth outlet of the state initiated souvenir and gifts shop distinct with Maldives culture. Moreover, the Japanese Ambassador to Maldives Ms. Keiko Yanai officiated the ‘Authentic Maldives’ official website at the ceremony as well. Reports confirm the website is powered by the government of Japan under the UNDP Maldives Sustainable Economic Empowerment and Development for SME’s (SEEDS) Projects. In addition to the Minister of Tourism and the Japanese Ambassador to Maldives, other…

State Trading Organization (STO) renews their agreement with Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) to supply fuel to Velana International Airport (VIA). According to the agreement, STO will be supplying Aviation Jet-A 1 fuel and marine gas oil to the airport gateway. The signing ceremony was held on Wednesday, 06 October at MACL head office between the Chief Executive of STO Mr. Hussain Amr Mohamed Rashaad and the Chief Executive of MACL Mr. Gordan Andrew Stewart. Moreover, the renewed fuel supplying agreement has been contracted for one year and six months while STO had been a long time supplier of fuel…

The European Union (EU) has removed the Maldives from the list of “non-cooperative” tax jurisdictions list, following significant improvements made by the island nation. Meanwhile, the union had blacklisted 17 other countries as “non-cooperative tax jurisdictions” in their report; “A Fair and Efficient Cooperative Tax System in the European Union” which was issued out on 05th December 2017. Moreover, the list comprises of countries with “fraudulent tax systems” and is compiled by the EU for the purpose of discouraging “rules and regulations that pave ways for large businesses and the rich to evade or avoid tax.” As such, Maldives is…