The government is working closely with all relevant stakeholders, including partners across the tourism industry, to monitor the developing situation in the Middle East, the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim has said.
Iran launched missiles at al-Udeid air base on Monday evening prompting several countries in the region to close their airspace in anticipation of more retaliatory attacks.
Although the countries including Qatar, Dubai and Bahrain have since reopened their airspace, the brief closure had caused air traffic disruptions leading to major delays and flight diversions.
Minister Thoriq in a post on social media, insisted that the government’s priority is to safeguard the seamless operation of Maldives’ tourism sector and ensure the safety and well-being of all travelers.
The Middle East is a major tourist source market for the globally renowned tourist destination with 28,640 tourists holidaying in the Maldives in the first five months of the year.
The Maldives have seen a recent uptick in tourists from the Middle East with a 3.2 percent increase in arrivals in the first five months of this year compared to the same period in 2024.
Israel launched "preemptive" strikes against Iran on 13 June, hitting nuclear and military sites as well as residential areas, and prompting waves of Iranian missile attacks on Israel.
The war has also seen the United States (US) strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, followed by an Iranian missile launch towards the largest US military facility in the Middle East -- Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Hours after the Iran strike, US President Donald Trump had declared that both Iran and Israel have now agreed to a unilateral ceasefire.