News
Maldives broadens engagement with China to support continued tourism momentum
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, together with Visit Maldives
Corporation (VMC), Maldives Airports Company Limited, Maldivian, and leading
tourism industry associations, is undertaking a high-level visit to China from
1 to 11 July 2026.
The delegation, headed by the Minister of State for Tourism and Civil
Aviation, Mr. Haris Mohamed, will visit Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. VMC’s
representation is led by CEO and MD,
Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree.
The visit comes at a time when global travel and aviation continue to
adapt to the evolving geopolitical developments in the Middle East, which have
affected international transit routes and influenced travel patterns. In
response, the Ministry has intensified its engagement with resilient,
high-potential source markets to sustain tourism growth and strengthen market confidence.
China remains the Maldives' leading tourism source market, with over
168,677 visitors recorded by the end
of June 2026, representing a 19.8 percent increase this year. This engagement
forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders and sustain the tourism
sector’s growth momentum as it works
towards its targets for the year.
Throughout the visit, the delegation will engage in a series of
high-level meetings with government officials, airlines, tour operators, travel
agencies and travel technology companies.
The programme will also include high-level networking events in each city
to showcase the Maldives' offerings across leisure, luxury and emerging
market segments. Together,
these engagements aim to strengthen air connectivity, expand market reach, and
support continued growth in tourist arrivals.
The Ministry and VMC remain committed to working closely with its
partners to navigate current global challenges and to continue offering
tourists a safe, world-class experience. Efforts
across all high source markets will continue in the months ahead as part of
this ongoing commitment.