Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has announced that the tourism sector is projected to contribute USD6 billion to the state budget by the end of 2027.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Faisal highlighted the government's efforts to elevate the tourism sector, including the promotion of health, sports, and educational tourism. He mentioned that various projects introducing new tourism products will be implemented across the country.
Additionally, Minister Faisal noted that the tourism sector currently contributes USD4.5 billion annually to the state budget. He also said that there are expectations of growth over the next four years, reaching USD6 billion by 2027.
Furthermore, Minister Faisal that the Maldives aims to attract two million tourists this year, with over 800,000 already visiting. Despite the low season, he said that extensive marketing efforts are being made in collaboration with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). He also said that the Maldives recently participated in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai to identify areas for improvement in tourism promotion.
Moreover, Minister Faisal expressed hopes of reaching four million annual tourists within the next five years. He also said that the number of tourists will be increased by the completion of the Velana International Airport (VIA) expansion and the opening of more resorts.
Recent statistics from the tourism ministry show a daily average of 6,338 tourists visiting the Maldives, with an overall increase compared to the past two years. The Maldives has also won four prestigious awards in the Indian Ocean category at the recent World Travel Awards (WTA).