Male’, Maldives – 05th February 2026 – The Maldives is gearing up for a transformative year in tourism, as President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu officially declared 2027 as “Visit Maldives Year.” Announced during the 2026 Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis, the initiative is described as a “monumental national endeavour” designed to elevate the country’s tourism sector and amplify its contributions to the economy.
“Tourism remains the gateway of our economy and the primary source of foreign exchange,” President Muizzu stated. “Ensuring the success of ‘Visit Maldives Year’ will benefit every Maldivian.”
Leading this nationwide campaign, Visit Maldives Corporation, the government’s tourism promotion arm, has already activated a robust global marketing strategy. With a 360-degree approach and PR representation across six key international markets, Visit Maldives has played a central role in positioning the country as a premier destination worldwide.
In early 2026, the Maldives made its mark at FITUR 2026 in Madrid, engaging with over 50,000 industry professionals, followed by targeted outreach at the Travel & Adventure Show in New York, focused on high-value North American travellers. Upcoming engagements include SATTE 2026 in New Delhi, ITB Berlin 2026, and MITT Moscow, strengthening relationships with key markets in Europe, Asia, and the CIS region.
The campaign will shift focus to the Middle East in the second quarter, with the “Visit Maldives Week in Arabia”roadshow through Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jeddah, culminating at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai. These initiatives aim to deepen B2B partnerships and solidify the Maldives’ reputation as a luxury destination for Gulf travellers.
To align the industry with this ambitious roadmap, Visit Maldives recently hosted the first Quarterly Insights: Maldives Tourism Insights Briefing, fostering collaboration between policymakers and industry leaders.
Through high-profile global events, strategic roadshows, and innovative digital campaigns, the Maldives is positioning 2026 as a year of record growth while setting the stage for the historic Visit Maldives Year 2027, reinforcing its global standing as one of the world’s most coveted tropical destinations
