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Maldives Tourism Reaches 2.25 Million Arrivals in 2025, Marking Steady Growth

Tourism in the Maldives continued its upward trajectory in 2025, with total visitor arrivals reaching 2,246,516 by 31 December, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment’s latest Daily Update. This figure represents a 9.8 percent increase compared to 2024, reinforcing the country’s steady recovery and sustained global appeal. Although growth throughout the year was gradual rather than dramatic, the final weeks of December delivered a strong seasonal boost. On 28 December alone, arrivals peaked at 9,903 — the highest daily figure for the month and among the strongest single-day results recorded this year. This surge reflects heightened holiday travel and confirms the Maldives’ continued popularity as a prime winter destination. A closer look at monthly performance shows that January recorded the highest year-on-year growth, rising by 11.7 percent to 214,863 arrivals. February was the only month to post a decline, slipping by 1.5 percent compared to the previous year. Growth t...
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Maldives Records Historic Tourism Performance in 2025 with Travel Receipts Projected to Exceed USD 5.4 Billion

The Maldives has marked a historic milestone in 2025, recording its strongest tourism performance to date, with projected travel receipts expected to exceed USD 5.4 billion, surpassing the national target of USD 5 billion. According to the latest figures released by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), tourism receipts grew by 15.8% year-on-year compared to 2024, underscoring the resilience and strength of the Maldivian tourism sector amid global and regional economic pressures. 2025 also stands as a record arrivals year for the Maldives. The year began amid cautious forecasts from industry experts, following announcements of proposed airport tax and Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) adjustments scheduled for 2026. While these measures were widely debated, they were necessitated by the country’s broader fiscal realities. Despite these concerns, the Maldivian tourism industry demonstrated exceptional adaptability and confidence. The year concluded with approximately 10% growth in ...
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Visit Maldives launches Creatoll, a global content creator platform for authentic island storytelling

Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has officially launched Creatoll, a global content creator platform designed to showcase authentic Maldivian stories and connect creators with tourism partners, brands, and global audiences. The platform was unveiled by Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim during the Maldives Culture and Food Festival 2025. Creatoll is conceived as a dedicated content marketplace where Maldivian and international content creators can professionally showcase, license, and monetise content that highlights the Maldives. The name reflects the idea that creativity emerges from every atoll, recognising that talent exists across the islands and that compelling Maldivian storytelling can be shaped by both local and visiting creators. At launch, Creatoll features curated visual content that captures real island experiences, local culture, nature, and everyday life in the Maldives. The platform is designed to evolve over time, expanding its scope to support a wider ...
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Maldives Culture & Food Festival opens tonight, celebrating a defining year for tourism

The Maldives Culture & Food Festival 2025 opens this evening at Hulhumalé Central Park, marking the start of a three-day national celebration of Maldivian culture, cuisine, and community, while also recognising a defining year for the country’s tourism sector as the Maldives welcomes the New Year. Organised by Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MOTE) and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and supported by main sponsor Bank of Maldives (BML). This year’s festival holds particular significance as 2025 marks one of the strongest years in the history of Maldivian tourism. The Maldives crossed the two-million tourist arrival mark earlier than ever before, recorded its highest tourism performance to date with travel receipts projected to exceed USD 5.8 billion, and was recognised as the World’s Leading Destination for the sixth consecutive year, making it the only country in the world to achieve this distinction. The fe...
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IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay joins The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort for an inspiring community day at Maldivian Mermaids Farm

  The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort  and IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay brought their exclusive wellness retreat to life with a memorable day at the  Maldivian Mermaids Anhenunfushi Farm  on December 17, 2025, celebrating community connection, sustainable agriculture, and the joy of shared wellness. The special visit, part of the three-day wellness and endurance experience, saw Lucy and resort guests venture beyond the resort to Anhenunfushi Island for an immersive cultural exchange that perfectly embodied the resort's Move Well and Eat Well philosophy. The day began with a guided farm tour, where guests discovered sustainable farming practices unique to the Maldives, followed by a farm-to-table tasting featuring fresh, healthy bites harvested directly from the island’s organic gardens. Lucy then led an energizing warm-up session on the beach, sharing practical fitness tips and inspiring the local Maldivian Mermaids team with insights from her champi...
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Visit Maldives and Liverpool FC announce winner of “Penalty to Paradise” campaign

Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), in partnership with Liverpool Football Club (LFC), has announced the winner of the “Penalty to Paradise” campaign, a football-led destination promotion that connected global fan engagement with the opportunity to experience the Maldives. The competition brought together 50 Liverpool FC members in a sudden-death penalty shootout challenge, where the final remaining contestant won an all-expenses-paid holiday to the Maldives, including a stay at Kandima Maldives. After multiple rounds and surprise side challenges, Finley McGovern, 19, emerged as the winner and secured the grand prize. Reacting to his win, Finn said he was “speechless,” adding, “I can’t speak. I don’t know what to say.” When asked who he would take with him to the Maldives, he chose his twin sister, who had also taken part in the competition and was eliminated earlier in the shootout. The contest featured a series of high-pressure penalty rounds, guest appearances, and creative challenges...
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‘Maldives Culture and Food Festival’ to celebrate the New Year in Hulumale this year as well

Visit Maldives Corporation, together with the Ministry of Tourism & Environment and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), has commenced planning for New Year celebrations in Hulhumalé’, building on the success and positive public response of last year’s festivities. The celebrations are expected to feature signature elements that resonated strongly with the public in 2024, including a special Drone Show, Fireworks, Food stalls, and cultural experiences designed for both locals and visitors. The initiative, running from 30 December 2025 to 1 January 2026, aims to once again create a vibrant, inclusive, and family-friendly atmosphere to welcome the New Year. At this stage, planning is ongoing and further details regarding the programme, dates, and activations will be announced in due course. The New Year celebrations are being developed as a joint initiative by Visit Maldives, the Ministry of Tourism & Environment, and HDC.   Organisers are also in discussions with poten...
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