[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"footer-categories":3,"menu-primary":43,"content-maldives-tourism-keeps-growing-in-2025-amid-major-infrastructure-expansion":83},[4,12,19,25,31,37],{"id":5,"name":6,"slug":7,"description":8,"parent_id":9,"order":10,"count":5,"created_at":11,"updated_at":11},3,"Airport Services","airport-services","",null,0,"2026-04-19T20:32:28.006471467+05:00",{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15,"description":8,"parent_id":9,"order":10,"count":16,"created_at":17,"updated_at":18},8,"Explore & Discover","explore-discover",398,"2026-04-19T20:32:28.021065789+05:00","2026-04-20T09:15:04.327058947+05:00",{"id":20,"name":21,"slug":22,"description":8,"parent_id":9,"order":10,"count":23,"created_at":24,"updated_at":24},14,"Focus","focus",246,"2026-04-19T20:32:28.037865675+05:00",{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":8,"parent_id":9,"order":10,"count":29,"created_at":30,"updated_at":30},10,"Foodie Finds","foodie-finds",51,"2026-04-19T20:32:28.026417763+05:00",{"id":32,"name":33,"slug":34,"description":8,"parent_id":9,"order":10,"count":35,"created_at":36,"updated_at":36},11,"Global Insights","global-insights",181,"2026-04-19T20:32:28.02906532+05:00",{"id":38,"name":39,"slug":40,"description":8,"parent_id":9,"order":10,"count":41,"created_at":42,"updated_at":42},12,"Image Gallery","image-gallery",21,"2026-04-19T20:32:28.031846119+05:00",{"id":44,"name":45,"slug":46,"location":46,"description":8,"items":47,"created_at":81,"updated_at":82},1,"Main","primary",[48,55,61,67,73],{"id":44,"menu_id":44,"parent_id":9,"title":49,"url":50,"type":51,"target":52,"icon":8,"css_class":8,"order":10,"entity_id":9,"created_at":53,"updated_at":54},"Home","\u002F","custom","_self","2026-04-19T20:34:56.862518704+05:00","2026-04-20T09:13:40.645033039+05:00",{"id":56,"menu_id":44,"parent_id":9,"title":57,"url":58,"type":51,"target":52,"icon":8,"css_class":8,"order":44,"entity_id":9,"created_at":59,"updated_at":60},4,"News","\u002Fnews","2026-04-19T20:36:04.769687666+05:00","2026-04-20T09:13:40.64513927+05:00",{"id":5,"menu_id":44,"parent_id":9,"title":62,"url":63,"type":51,"target":52,"icon":8,"css_class":8,"order":64,"entity_id":9,"created_at":65,"updated_at":66},"Magazines","\u002Fmagazines",2,"2026-04-19T20:35:40.16768319+05:00","2026-04-20T09:13:40.645155855+05:00",{"id":68,"menu_id":44,"parent_id":9,"title":69,"url":70,"type":51,"target":52,"icon":8,"css_class":8,"order":5,"entity_id":9,"created_at":71,"updated_at":72},5,"Videos","\u002Fvideos","2026-04-19T20:38:16.209085671+05:00","2026-04-20T09:13:40.645169318+05:00",{"id":74,"menu_id":44,"parent_id":9,"title":75,"url":76,"type":77,"target":52,"icon":8,"css_class":8,"order":56,"entity_id":78,"created_at":79,"updated_at":80},7,"About Us","\u002Fabout","page",19,"2026-04-20T09:13:37.690948106+05:00","2026-04-20T09:13:40.64518035+05:00","0001-01-01T00:00:00Z","2026-04-19T20:34:50.526512219+05:00",{"type":84,"content":85},"post",{"id":86,"title":87,"slug":88,"content":89,"excerpt":8,"featured_image":8,"status":90,"type":84,"author_id":74,"author":91,"categories":97,"meta_title":8,"meta_description":8,"meta_keywords":8,"view_count":10,"comment_status":103,"published_at":104,"scheduled_at":9,"created_at":104,"updated_at":105},928,"Maldives Tourism Keeps Growing  in 2025 Amid Major Infrastructure Expansion","maldives-tourism-keeps-growing-in-2025-amid-major-infrastructure-expansion","\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>The Maldives is witnessing a remarkable surge in tourism in 2025, driven by strategic infrastructure developments and renewed international engagement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>According to official statistics, the country recorded 214,864 tourist arrivals in January 2025 alone—an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. The strong growth underscores the Maldives’ continued appeal as a top-tier travel destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>Key to this progress is a wave of large-scale infrastructure projects that are reshaping the nation’s connectivity and capacity. Most notably, the \u003Cstrong>Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP)\u003C\u002Fstrong>—the largest infrastructure project in the country’s history—is well underway. Funded under a $500 million Indian assistance package, the 6.74 km bridge will link Malé with the islands of Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi. As of March 2025, the project is 52% complete and on track for a September 2026 completion. The bridge is expected to alleviate congestion in the capital and boost commercial activity across connected islands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>Further south, Addu City saw the inauguration of the \u003Cstrong>Hankede Bridge\u003C\u002Fstrong> in February 2025. The 1.4 km structure, financed under India’s $800 million line of credit, connects Maradhoo and Gaukendi islands, promoting regional growth and decentralization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, tourism-specific enhancements are also in progress. The \u003Cstrong>Hanimaadhoo International Airport\u003C\u002Fstrong> in the north is undergoing expansion to accommodate up to 1.3 million passengers annually. The development is poised to open up northern atolls to increased tourist activity and investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>In support of these improvements, the government implemented increased departure fees in December 2024, which are channeled toward sustaining aviation infrastructure. Fees range from £41 for economy passengers to £396 for private jets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>In addition to infrastructure, the Maldives is focusing on \u003Cstrong>eco-tourism and marine conservation\u003C\u002Fstrong>, with resorts like InterContinental Maamunagau hosting special retreats centered around manta ray tourism, contributing an estimated $8.1 million annually to the local economy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>Following a diplomatic rift in 2024 that led to a sharp decline in Indian tourist arrivals, the Maldives is actively rebuilding ties with India. The government has launched a campaign targeting 300,000 Indian arrivals in 2025 through events, cricket camps, and the appointment of a tourism brand ambassador.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>With strengthened infrastructure, a growing eco-tourism sector, and revived diplomatic outreach, the Maldives is positioning itself not only as a premier travel destination, but also as a model for sustainable island development in the Indian Ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->","published",{"id":74,"username":92,"email":93,"first_name":8,"last_name":8,"display_name":8,"avatar":8,"bio":8,"status":94,"email_verified":95,"role_id":5,"last_login_at":9,"created_at":96,"updated_at":96},"azim","adamazim76@gmail.com","active",false,"2026-04-19T20:32:27.744729458+05:00",[98,101],{"id":64,"name":57,"slug":99,"description":8,"parent_id":9,"order":10,"count":10,"created_at":100,"updated_at":100},"news","2026-04-19T20:32:28.0035903+05:00",{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15,"description":8,"parent_id":9,"order":10,"count":102,"created_at":17,"updated_at":18},399,true,"2025-07-30T08:00:33Z","2026-04-19T20:32:35.797941642+05:00"]