President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially declared 2027 as "Visit Maldives Year," launching a transformative national campaign aimed at elevating the Maldives’ tourism sector to new heights.
Delivering the 2026 Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis, President Muizzu described the initiative as a "monumental national endeavour," emphasizing that it will serve as a unified platform to bring together domestic and international stakeholders to strengthen the nation’s primary economic driver.
"Tourism remains the gateway of our economy and the primary source of foreign exchange," President Muizzu stated. "Transforming 'Visit Maldives Year' into an inclusive national success is vital to ensuring that the benefits of this industry reach every Maldivian citizen."
To achieve the ambitious objectives set for 2027, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), in coordination with a specialised Steering Committee under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, has already rolled out an aggressive international promotion strategy for 2026 and 2027.
The first quarter of 2026 witnessed a significant acceleration in global marketing initiatives, highlighted by a high-impact presence at premier international forums. In January, the Maldives participated in FITUR 2026 in Madrid, engaging with over 50,000 industry professionals and trade experts to showcase the archipelago’s diverse investment landscape and evolving travel opportunities. This was followed by a strategic activation at the Travel & Adventure Show in New York, conducted in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations, targeting the high-value North American market and further diversifying tourist demographics.
Building on this momentum, Visit Maldives plans to maintain a rigorous schedule of global engagements through the first half of the year. In February, efforts will focus on strengthening ties with one of the primary source markets at SATTE 2026 in New Delhi, India. This will be followed by a major appearance at ITB Berlin 2026 from March 3 to 5, providing a vital platform to connect with global tour operators, major airlines, and international media. To further enhance its presence in Eastern Europe and the CIS region, the Maldives will participate in MITT Moscow from March 11 to 13, aiming to increase market share and brand visibility in these key territories.
Strategic campaigns will continue into the second quarter with a focus on the Middle Eastern luxury segment. From April 26 to 30, the "Visit Maldives Week in Arabia" roadshow will travel through Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jeddah to engage regional travel agents and affluent travellers. This Middle Eastern tour will culminate in a significant presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai from May 4 to 7. Following the record-breaking success of the 2025 edition, Visit Maldives aims to use ATM 2026 to secure new B2B partnerships and further establish the Maldives as the premier destination for Gulf travellers.
To ensure industry-wide alignment, VMC recently conducted the first "Quarterly Insights: Maldives Tourism Insights Briefing." The forum acts as a critical bridge between policymakers and industry leaders, facilitating data exchange and synchronized planning for the 2027 roadmap.
Through a combination of global trade fairs, targeted regional roadshows, and advanced digital campaigns, the Maldives is positioning 2026 as a year of record-breaking profitability while laying the foundation for the landmark "Visit Maldives Year 2027."
