Chongqing Airlines of China will operate three weekly flights to Malè, which started its operations on 8th January 2025. With a layover in Colombo, the three services run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The itinerary is Malè-Colombo-Chongqing, with simple connections to other carriers. The planned three-weekly flights between Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and Velana International…
A unique and significant occasion to Ellaidhoo Maldives occurred on the first morning of the new year. Three small turtles broke out of their shells on the island’s coastlines and followed their instincts to the Indian Ocean. This occasion, which marked the beginning of the year with a special connection to nature, was witnessed by…
Nominations for the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025, hosted by BestBuy Maldives (BBM), are now officially open, according to Hotelier Maldives. This important event, which is scheduled for May 2025, builds on the success of its initial edition in April 2024. Four new categories will be added to the 2019 awards, expanding the recognition of exceptional…
The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) has formally launched the “World’s Biggest Giveaway,” their biggest worldwide promotion for 2025. This year-long program, which was unveiled on November 5, 2024, at World Travel Mart (WTM) in London, would give out 52 free holidays, one for every week in 2025, beginning on 1st January…
Building on the remarkable momentum of 2024, a record-breaking year for the Maldives tourist industry, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) has stated that the Maldives has set an ambitious aim of $5 billion in tourism receipts for 2025. At a press conference held at MMPRC offices on 29th December 2024, MMPRC…
On 25th December 2024, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development announced a further financing of Dh147 million ($40 million) to help the Maldives’ Velana International Airport (VIA) project be completed. This comes after a Dh183.5 million ($50 million) loan was given in 2017 for the project’s early stages, underscoring the airport’s critical role in promoting…
With the opening of direct flights to China in 2025, Maldivian is set to make a substantial contribution to the Maldives’ tourism industry. Beginning in early 2025, the airline will offer flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, three important Chinese cities, using its new wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The additional flights are anticipated to transport…
With effect from 1st July 2025, the Maldives’ Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) rate will increase from 16% to 17%. The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has approved this modification, which is a component of the 7th amendment to the Goods and Services Tax Act. Its goal is to help the Maldives’ thriving tourism…
The Maldives’ status as a top international vacation destination has been cemented when it was listed as one of the best destinations for 2025 in Forbes Travel Guide. Travelers looking for exotic luxury and wellness experiences are drawn to the Maldives because of its immaculate beaches, overwater villas, and unparalleled natural beauty. The choices made…
The Foreign Exchange Bill, which establishes new rules mandating that foreign exchange earners in the tourism industry convert a percentage of their foreign exchange profits to Maldivian Rufiyaa, was ratified by President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday. On 12th December 2024, the bill was approved by the parliament. Important provisions of the law include: Category A…