Maldives' tourism industry has faced a series of setbacks, plummeting to its lowest point yet: Shaaz
Industry experts are expressing growing concern over the government's perceived failure to take adequate measures to revitalize the Maldives' tourism sector, which has faced a significant downturn amid shifting global dynamics.
Shaaz Waleed, Vice President of MATATO, speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program on May 20, 2026. | Screen image
Shaaz Waleed, the head of Resort Life Maldives and Vice President of MATATO, has stated that Maldivian tourism has faced a series of setbacks and has now reached its lowest point.
He made these remarks while speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program.
He noted that while the conflict in the Middle East is impacting the entire world, the tourism industry remains one of the hardest hit sectors. He highlighted that the situation has deteriorated to the point where some hotels in the Maldives are being sold for as low as $22, a stark contrast to other countries in the region. However, Shaaz stated that the government is failing to pay any attention to these critical issues.
"I do not believe these individuals are taking any action. The tourism industry is collapsing. We can no longer remain silent while they continue to mislead us. Efforts must be made to rectify this situation," Shaaz said.
Shaaz stated that the 20 percent growth experienced by the tourism sector at the beginning of the year has now significantly declined. He further noted that resorts, facing a desperate situation, are drastically slashing their prices. He questioned why the government continues to misrepresent the facts when the official data clearly reflects the reality of the situation.
Shaaz also noted that the national economy will decline in direct proportion to the downturn in the Maldives' tourism sector. Due to the falling number of tourist arrivals, industry associations estimate that the tourism sector could face losses exceeding $500 million. Highlighting the severity of the situation, these organizations have also called for government intervention and support.
However, the government has questioned the accuracy of these figures. Meanwhile, leading figures within the tourism industry are alleging that the sector's decline is a direct result of a lack of clear government policy.
