In a strategic move to counteract a significant decline in tourist arrivals caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the government has unveiled a series of new initiatives, including the introduction of two specialised visas.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim during a press conference held by the special ministerial committee formed to mitigate the economic impact of the conflict.
Minister Thoriq revealed that approximately 30 percent of all tourists arrive in the Maldives via Middle Eastern airlines, a sector now heavily disrupted.
"Therefore, additional routes are being sought to bring tourists to overcome the situation," the Minister said, confirming that airline and tourism operators are collaborating to secure and improve alternative air routes.
A key focus of the new strategy is to increase the average duration of a tourist's stay. Currently, visitors receive a 30-day on-arrival visa. The government, according to Minister Thoriq, is now actively exploring ways to simplify the extension process, making it easier for guests to prolong their holidays in the island nation.
Further diversifying its appeal, the Ministry will introduce two new visa categories—a special visa for remote workers and another for content creators.
"We are looking at ways to get remote workers to work in the Maldives, especially for guest house businesses. If there are more remote workers or content creators, their occupancy will increase,” he explained, highlighting the dual benefit of this policy.
This initiative aims to provide a steady stream of long-term visitors to local guesthouses outside the resort islands.
Beyond visas, the government is also moving to tap into niche tourism markets. Minister Thoriq announced plans to formally regulate sports fishing and big game fishing, citing the global market's value of USD 7.2 billion. Additionally, the sectors of technical and recreational diving will be expanded soon, he added.
The comprehensive plan also includes facilitating arrangements for superyacht and liveaboard workers, further developing halal tourism, and promoting education and research tourism by easing the process for international researchers to conduct studies in the Maldives.