The government plans to create a more supportive environment for the continued growth of the Maldives tourism industry, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has said, as authorities prepare to launch the upcoming Visit Maldives Year initiative.

Speaking at the Maldives Tourism Intelligence Quarterly Briefing, Minister Ameen said the initiative will focus on expanding the country's tourism markets while creating greater economic opportunities for communities across the islands.

The minister also highlighted the strong performance of Maldivian tourism services, pointing to findings from the 2025 Visitor Survey.

More than 85 percent of visitors surveyed said they intended to return to the Maldives, while more than 90 percent said they would recommend the destination to others.

More than 80 percent reported being highly satisfied with their experience.

Minister Ameen said these figures demonstrated the ability of Maldivians working in the tourism sector to adapt to changing industry demands and maintain high service standards.

However, the minister acknowledged that external disruptions had affected visitor numbers earlier this year.

Disruptions to aviation routes through the Middle East resulted in a four-month decline in tourist arrivals before coordinated efforts by the government and private sector helped restore normal travel patterns by early July.

The government is also seeking to strengthen international air connectivity.

National carrier Maldivian has begun operating flights to Australia, while discussions are continuing to facilitate Ethiopian Airlines services to the Maldives, potentially from early next year.

Ameen said expanding air routes alone would not be sufficient to secure long-term tourism growth, emphasizing the need for cooperation between the government, businesses and other stakeholders.

The Visit Maldives Year initiative is expected to form part of broader efforts to diversify source markets, strengthen tourism-related businesses and ensure that the benefits of the industry reach communities throughout the country.