By Malé, Maldives – President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced a major push to expand tourism to new regions of the Maldives, with a particular focus on Thaa Atoll. Delivering his presidential address at the first sitting of the current parliamentary session, President Muizzu emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering tourism growth beyond traditional hubs by introducing new incentives and regulatory relaxations.
“For the first time in our history, the Maldives welcomed 2 million tourists last year, marking a 9% increase from 2023,” President Muizzu highlighted. “This year, our goal is even higher—we aim to attract 2.3 million visitors by the end of 2025. We have already initiated multiple efforts to ensure we meet this target.”
Expansion into New Atolls
President Muizzu reaffirmed that his administration is working towards establishing resorts in atolls that have remained largely untapped by the tourism industry. “Our plan is to start resort development in islands such as those in Thaa Atoll within this year,” he stated, reinforcing the government’s vision of diversifying the geographical spread of tourism.
Boosting Air Connectivity
To support these ambitious targets, President Muizzu highlighted the role of Maldivian Airlines in enhancing international accessibility. The national carrier recently introduced its first wide-body aircraft to accommodate growing tourist demand.
“We are actively working to expand international operations, especially to key Chinese cities and other strategic locations,” the President announced. “Moreover, I am pleased to confirm that additional wide-body aircraft will be added to the fleet in October. This will enable direct flights to several European destinations, strengthening our global reach.”
Government’s Commitment to Tourism Growth
The Maldivian government is implementing various initiatives to bolster the tourism industry, ensuring sustained economic growth. The introduction of new incentives, coupled with improved international connectivity, is expected to attract greater investment and facilitate the expansion of tourism infrastructure.
As the Maldives strives to break records once again in 2025, the government remains confident that its strategic efforts will help position the nation as an even stronger global tourism hub.
