The Maldives government has announced significant progress in mitigating the tourism downturn resulting from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the Gulf region. This update was provided by a special ministerial committee established by the President to monitor the geopolitical impact on the nation’s economy.

During a press conference at the President’s Office, Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Ameen detailed the sector’s performance. He noted that while arrivals decreased by 22.5% in March and 26.5% in April compared to the previous year, the decline has narrowed significantly to just 8.9% thus far in May.

Minister Ameen characterized this narrowing gap as a major success, attributing the recovery to the coordinated efforts of government ministries, state institutions, and the tourism and transport industries. He specifically lauded President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s strategic foresight in navigating the crisis.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the decision to introduce wide-body aircraft to the national carrier, Maldivian, as a pivotal move. He described it as a wise strategic decision that enhances the nation’s independent capacity to mitigate economic impacts during sensitive global situations, ensuring more direct connectivity to global markets.