Government ministers meet tourism industry leaders to discuss solutions for challenges facing sector
6 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 09:08Government ministers and leading industry stakeholders have held high-level discussions aimed at addressing the challenges facing the tourism sector and achieving the strategic targets set for 2027. The meeting also focused on exploring effective strategies to increase tourist arrivals to the Maldives.
Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, alongside ministers from relevant government departments, met with key leaders of the tourism industry on Monday. | Tourism Ministry
Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, along with ministers from other relevant government departments, met with senior leaders of the tourism industry on Monday.
The Ministry of Tourism stated that this meeting was a significant part of an ongoing series of consultations aimed at the further development of the tourism sector.
The Ministry of Tourism stated that the meeting primarily focused on strategies to increase tourist arrivals and the necessary steps to achieve the government's 2027 targets. Discussions also centered on finding urgent solutions to the current challenges facing the industry. It was further noted that key objectives were agreed upon based on the advice and expertise of industry professionals. Additionally, the Ministry highlighted that this initiative demonstrates the government's commitment to working closely with stakeholders to advance the tourism sector.
The meeting was attended by the most experienced and prominent business leaders in the tourism industry. Notable participants included Hussain Afeef (Champa Afeef), Chairperson of Crown Company; Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Chairman of Sun Siyam Group; and Ibrahim Siyad Qasim, Managing Director of Villa Group.
The Minister of Tourism and officials from relevant ministries met with industry leaders at a time when the government has decided to further amend recent legislative changes. These changes involve the collection of TGST from online booking platforms, foreign tour operators, and travel agents who facilitate bookings for tourists visiting the Maldives.
Concerns and complaints have mounted among Maldivian tourism stakeholders and international tour operators following the ratification of amendments to the tax laws last month. Some European tour operators have reportedly suspended new bookings to the Maldives in response to these legislative changes.
The primary objective of this legislative amendment is to strengthen the tax framework by establishing procedures to collect GST from offshore booking platforms and foreign travel agents. Once implemented, these changes are projected to generate approximately MVR 1.6 billion in additional annual state revenue, comprising an estimated MVR 299.3 million from foreign travel agents and MVR 1.3 billion from foreign tour operators.
