AGP Executive Report

Luxury Resort Deal: Gulf Hotels Group has signed an MoU with Maldivian partner Keiretsu Pvt Ltd to develop its first Indian Ocean luxury island resort in Kaafu Atoll, targeting a private-lagoon location 15–25 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. Bilateral Trade Push: India and the Maldives have concluded bilateral investment treaty (BIT) negotiations, with legal “scrubbing” underway, while fast-tracking talks for a free trade agreement that also flags tourism and digital payments. Tourism Value Watch: A new report says Maldives holidays are cheaper than ever for UK travellers, citing Middle East conflict-driven flight shifts and late 2026 booking demand. Hotel & Dining Updates: Lily Beach Resort & Spa’s AQVA restaurant again wins Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence; NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort appoints Keith Tomkies as General Manager. Travel Policy Note: Maldives Immigration warns passport applicants not to submit AI-edited or digitally altered photos, saying non-compliant images can delay or reject applications. Industry Insight: MATI Insight returns on 12 August 2026 with workshops on creativity, business communication, and AI-powered brand building.

Maldives Tourism Spotlight: Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards put the Maldives at #2 in 2026, behind Thailand’s Koh Samui, reinforcing the islands’ pull for romance and “self-care” travel. Family Travel Shift: Honeymoon classics—including the Maldives—are seeing more multigenerational bookings, with resorts adapting for toddlers, teens and grandparents. Resort & Hospitality Updates: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort appoints Özgür Cengiz as General Manager; Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa hosts MICHELIN-star Chef Fabrice Rosso dining events (17 & 20 July); Angsana Velavaru wins two Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026 titles. Sustainability & Guest Activism: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru launch Plastic Free July with beach and reef cleans plus Shark Awareness Day (14 July). Travel Trade & Access: S7 Airlines opens Novosibirsk–Malé flights from 30 Oct 2026 (twice weekly). Digital Identity (Policy Watch): Maldives parliament advances Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation and Digital Identity bills, supporting a national digital ID framework. Immigration Reminder: Maldives Immigration warns applicants not to submit AI-edited passport photos.

Resort Leadership: The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has appointed Özgür Cengiz as General Manager, bringing 25+ years of ultra-luxury and wellness experience to the property. Kandooma Transition: Hotel Properties Limited says Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will relaunch as Kandooma Maldives from 1 Oct 2026, with Andrew Drummond returning to lead the “Kandooma Next Chapter” upgrades. Culinary Calendar: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will host two Masters of Food & Wine events with MICHELIN-starred Chef Fabrice Rosso (IDAM by Alain Ducasse) on 17 and 20 July. Conservation & Guest Activism: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru mark Plastic Free July with beach and reef cleans, plus a Shark Awareness Day with Miyaru on 14 July. Local Tourism Boost: Oaga Art Resort wrapped up “The Shape of Return,” a contemporary Maldivian art exhibition in Singapore with Oevaali Art Gallery. Travel Safety/Docs: Maldives Immigration warns passport applicants not to submit AI-edited or digitally altered photos, or applications may be delayed or rejected. Connectivity & Deals: S7 Airlines opens ticket sales for Novosibirsk–Malé flights from 30 Oct 2026, and Dhiraagu announces its second speedboat lucky draw on 10 July. Banking Rewards: BML and Mastercard launch a promotion offering MVR 100,000 in cash prizes for new BML Mastercard Debit Card applicants.

New Route to Male: S7 Airlines opens ticket sales for flights from Novosibirsk to Malé starting 30 Oct 2026, twice weekly via a technical stop in Jaipur—another boost for beach travel demand. Resort Relaunch Watch: Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will rebrand as Kandooma Maldives under HPL Hotels & Resorts from 1 Oct 2026, with “Kandooma Next Chapter” upgrades led by returning GM Andrew Drummond. Culinary Spotlight: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa brings MICHELIN-starred Chef Fabrice Rosso (IDAM by Alain Ducasse, Doha) for Masters of Food & Wine events on 17 and 20 July. Conservation Push: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru mark Plastic Free July with beach and reef cleans, plus Shark Awareness Day on 14 July. Awards & Recognition: Angsana Velavaru wins two Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026 titles, including Best Resort Pool and top hotel GM honour. Travel Deals & Access: EaseMyTrip launches a Monsoon Travel Sale (7–10 July) with discounts across flights and hotels. On-Island Experiences: dusitD2 Feydhoo hosts the inaugural Maldives Wedding Showcase 2026, while W Maldives welcomes Bar Benfiddich’s Hiroyasu Kayama residency (18–21 Aug). Tourism Economy: Maldives Inflight Catering reports 2025 revenue nearing MVR 1 billion. Health Alert: Measles cases rise to 72 this year; health experts urge vaccination checks for ages 15–35 and monitoring of visitors.

Resort Rebrand: Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is set to end its IHG management on 30 Sep 2026, relaunching from 1 Oct 2026 as Kandooma Maldives under HPL Hotels & Resorts, with “Kandooma Next Chapter” bringing phased villa upgrades and new experiences while keeping guest stays running smoothly. Awards & Recognition: Villa Park wins Best Family Island Resort at the Fashion Travel Awards 2026, while Madifushi Private Island takes Best Elegant Private Island in the same awards circuit; Milaidhoo Maldives also earns Forbes Travel Guide’s VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge. Tourism Growth Signals: Maldives diving schools are the fastest-growing tourism segment, with revenue up 47.7% (to USD 32.03m) in the latest quarter, alongside strong gains in water sports and homestays. Japan Market Push: Maldivian officials meet JATA to boost Japanese visitor arrivals, with embassy ties marked by a 10th anniversary celebration. Business & Policy: Maldives reports USD 120m raised via resort lease extensions and land fees, and BML CEO flags a shift toward “invisible” digital payments for tourism bookings. Health Alert: Measles cases rise to 72, with warnings for travellers and workers to ensure full vaccination.

Tourism Growth Watch: Diving schools are the fastest-growing slice of Maldives tourism, with revenue up 47.7% to USD 32.03m in Dec 2025–Feb 2026, as total tourism output tax rose 20.5% to USD 447m and arrivals climbed 11.6%. Market Signals: The Maldives has welcomed over one million visitors so far this year, but arrivals are still 5% down versus last year, with resorts hosting 72% of guests. Japan Push: Malé is stepping up ties with Japan—talks with JATA aim to boost Japanese arrivals and promotion, while the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Embassy highlights expanding cultural and diplomatic cooperation. Resort & Brand News: Milaidhoo Maldives earned Forbes Travel Guide’s VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality badge, while Crown & Champa Resorts picked up multiple Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2026 recognitions. Business & Payments: Bank of Maldives says the next five years will move toward “invisible” payment ecosystems, and it’s also expanding merchant financing with faster, simplified applications. Safety & Compliance: Maldives Customs warns travellers about strict rules on items like alcohol and pork, with penalties for violations.

Tourism Economy & Arrivals: The Maldives welcomed its one-millionth visitor on June 20, but overall arrivals are still down 5% year-on-year, with China leading source markets (169,798 visitors). Resort Finance: The government says it raised about USD 120 million last year via resort lease extensions, land sales and conversion fees, with new lump-sum extension options driving early payments. Diving Boom: Diving schools are the fastest-growing tourism segment, with revenue up 47.7% (to USD 32.03m) in the latest quarter, alongside strong gains in water sports and homestays. Awards & Branding: Crown & Champa Resorts celebrated multiple Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2026, while Madifushi Private Island won “Best Elegant Private Island” at the Fashion Travel Awards 2026. Guest Experience Upgrades: InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau added a complimentary padel court, and SAii Lagoon Maldives launched a romance-focused honeymoon/anniversary package. Travel Costs Watch: Separate coverage highlights rising holiday costs and what travellers should never pack for Maldives trips.

Tourism Finance: Maldives’ Ministry of Finance says the government raised about USD 120 million (MVR 1.8b) last year via resort lease extensions, land sales and land conversion fees, with new Tourism Act fee incentives pushing faster, lump-sum payments. Visitor Outlook: The Maldives hit one million tourists on June 20, but arrivals are still down 5% year-on-year; China remains the top source market and resorts host 72% of visitors. Source-Market Push: A high-level Maldives delegation is in China (1–11 July) to meet airlines, tour operators and tech firms, aiming to sustain momentum as China stays the leading market. Diving Demand: Diving schools are the fastest-growing tourism segment, with MIRA reporting strong first-quarter gains in output tax and diving-school revenue. Resort Updates: InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau adds a complimentary padel court; SAii Lagoon Maldives launches a romance-focused honeymoon/anniversary package. Payments & Travel Spend: Bank of Maldives rolls out SplitPay for installment purchases, while BML also expands merchant financing speed and limits. Japan Ties: The Maldives marked the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Embassy in Malé, highlighting cultural exchange and growing visitor interest. Women in Diving: Nova Maldives celebrates Women’s Dive Day (17–19 July) with PADI-led programming led by Maldivian PADI Course Director Zoona Naseem.

Tourism Arrivals Watch: The Maldives welcomed its one-millionth visitor on June 20, but overall arrivals are still down 5% versus the same period in 2025, with China leading (169,798; 16.2%) and resorts hosting 72% of guests. Market Push to China: The Ministry of Tourism and Visit Maldives are sending a high-level delegation to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu (1–11 July) to strengthen airline and trade ties as China remains the top source market. Resort Upgrades for Guests: InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort added a complimentary padel court for all guests, while Dusit Thani Maldives rolled out a resort-wide villa refresh in Baa Atoll. Romance & Experiences: SAii Lagoon Maldives launched a “Just the Two of Us” honeymoon/anniversary package, and Sirru Fen Fushi announced late-2026 culinary and wellness programming under its Sirru Icons Series. Women in Diving: Nova Maldives marks Women’s Dive Day (17–19 July) with a programme led by Zoona Naseem, the first Maldivian PADI Course Director, plus marine biologist Jenna Lehocki. Digital Tourism Operations: Visit Maldives launched a new vendor platform to streamline procurement, with online registration, RFP/RFQ access and secure document submission. Payments for Businesses: Bank of Maldives expanded merchant financing (up to MVR 2 million in 5 days) and rolled out SplitPay instalments for cardholders.

Tourism Numbers: The Maldives welcomed over one million tourists this year, hitting the milestone on June 20, but arrivals are still down 5% versus the same period in 2025. The ministry says the country is averaging about 5,700 visitors a day, with resorts hosting 72% of guests and guesthouses 23%. Source Markets: China remains the top market with 169,798 visitors (16.2%), followed by Russia (150,978), the UK (86,795), Italy (74,049) and Germany (67,379). Travel Mix: Women aged 25–34 are the largest visitor group, and the Maldives has 67,868 operational beds across 1,297 establishments. Policy Focus: With a 2.5 million target for year-end under scrutiny due to wider travel disruptions, the government’s immediate priority is preventing arrivals from falling below last year. China Link: The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is also sending a high-level delegation to China from July 1–11 to meet airlines, tour operators and tech partners, aiming to sustain momentum in the Maldives’ leading source market. Digital Procurement: Visit Maldives Corporation launched a new vendor platform to streamline procurement, with online registration, document submission and RFP/RFQ notifications to improve transparency and reduce paperwork. Resort Updates: Dusit Thani Maldives announced a resort-wide villa refresh in Baa Atoll, while Grand Park Kodhipparu unveiled its 2026/27 festive programme, “A Celebration of Light & Lagoon.”

Maldives-China Tourism Push: The Maldives Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation leads a high-level visit to China (1–11 July) with Visit Maldives Corporation and airlines, aiming to sustain growth as China remains the top source market with 168,677 visitors by end-June (+19.8%). Digital Procurement Upgrade: Visit Maldives Corporation launched a new vendor platform to streamline procurement—online registration, RFP/RFQ access, secure document submission, and automated notifications to boost transparency and cut paperwork. Resort Updates: Dusit Thani Maldives unveiled a resort-wide refresh with refurbished villa categories and a refreshed guest journey; Grand Park Kodhipparu announced its 2026/27 festive programme, “A Celebration of Light & Lagoon,” focused on intimate, connection-led celebrations. Wellness & Hospitality Leadership: Soneva Secret appointed Akira Shiota as General Manager, while Sirru Fen Fushi revealed late-2026 culinary and wellness residencies featuring Dr. Doshi and Michelin-star chefs. Maldives Heritage Drive: A nationwide effort is nearing completion to document hundreds of heritage and archaeological sites into a free online digital archive for conservation and research. Finance for Travelers: Bank of Maldives rolled out BML SplitPay, letting customers split purchases above MVR 1,500 into 3–24 month instalments via participating merchants.

Resort Updates: Dusit Thani Maldives is refreshing villas across Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, with upgraded spaces and a smoother guest journey. Luxury Leadership: Soneva Secret has appointed Akira Shiota as General Manager for its 13-villa Makunudhoo Atoll retreat. Digital Tourism Ops: Visit Maldives Corporation launched a new digital vendor platform to streamline procurement, standardise registration, and improve transparency for local and international suppliers. Culture & Heritage: Maldives is nearing completion of a nationwide effort to document historical and archaeological heritage sites, building a free online digital archive for conservation and research. Family Travel Trend: “Nestcation” demand is rising, with more parents choosing meaningful family trips before kids fully leave home—good news for Maldives family planning. Aviation Connectivity: Malaysia Airlines opened a paid status match for Air India and Garuda frequent fliers, with Maldives included among eligible markets. Safety/Compliance Note: UK travel warnings highlight how “innocent” souvenir purchases can trigger customs trouble—relevant for travellers heading to and from the Maldives. Finance: Bank of Maldives won awards for digital finance and green/sustainable finance at the Maldives Financial Sector Awards.

Maldives Digital Push: The Maldives is rolling out a five-year national digital health blueprint (2026–2030) to unify island-by-island digital health efforts under one framework, with WHO, Japan, ADB and regional experts supporting. Heritage for the Long Run: A nationwide project is nearing completion to digitally map and archive hundreds of Maldives heritage and archaeological sites, with a free online database planned after documentation finishes in the remaining atolls. Creator Economy: Visit Maldives Corporation has launched Creatoll, a national digital marketplace for Maldivian photographers, filmmakers and visual creators to sell content directly to international buyers with verified profiles and creator-controlled pricing. Culture Partnerships: CROSSROADS Maldives met the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to explore stronger collaboration on promoting Maldivian culture through performances, music events and creative experiences. Tourism Value from Nature: A new study estimates manta rays add over US$311m annually to the Maldives economy and could generate up to US$8.6bn in lifetime tourism revenue. Resort Updates: Vakkaru Maldives welcomes Danish Chef Jesper Koch (16–28 July 2026) for culinary training and guest cooking classes. Business & Connectivity: Dhiraagu announced CEO succession ahead of Ismail Rasheed’s retirement, with Valdemar Ferradaz taking over as CEO designate from 1 July 2026. Travel Finance: BML launched an Amex Platinum promotion with a lucky draw prize package for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix.

Digital Health Push: Maldives is rolling out a five-year national digital health blueprint (2026–2030) to unify island healthcare systems under one framework, with WHO, Japan, ADB and local experts supporting. Local Culture Partnerships: CROSSROADS Maldives met the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to explore stronger collaboration to promote Maldivian culture, heritage and creative experiences for visitors. Creator Economy Boost: Visit Maldives Corporation launched Creatoll, a national digital marketplace for Maldivian photographers and filmmakers to sell content directly to international buyers, with creators keeping IP ownership. Manta Ray Value for Tourism: A new study says manta rays are worth over US$311m annually to the Maldives economy and could generate about US$8.6bn in lifetime tourism revenue. Resort & Culinary Updates: Vakkaru Maldives welcomes Danish Chef Jesper Koch (16–28 July) for guest cooking classes and staff training, while Sun Siyam Vilu Reef Maldives plans 50 new overwater villas. Connectivity Leadership: Dhiraagu announced CEO-designate Valdemar Ferradaz will join ahead of Ismail Rasheed’s retirement.

Maldives Digital Economy Push: Visit Maldives Corporation has launched Creatoll, a national digital marketplace for Maldivian photographers, filmmakers and visual creators to sell content directly to international buyers, with verified profiles, creator-set pricing, and ownership of intellectual property. Marine Conservation Meets Tourism Value: A new study in PLOS One says manta ray watching is worth US$311m+ annually to the Maldives economy and could generate US$8.6bn over the reef manta population’s lifetimes, with 2021 direct revenue estimated at US$227.3m. Resort Expansion for Families: Sun Siyam Vilu Reef Maldives unveiled 50 new overwater villas under its Ocean Signature Villas concept, adding private pools and water slides. Local Culture Spotlight: VMC also rolled out “This is My Maldives”, a global photo competition tied to Creatoll, with a MVR 50,000 prize for the winner. Tourism Policy Context: India’s NITI Aayog urged simplified visas (including visa-on-arrival and longer multiple-entry options) to boost inbound tourism—relevant for regional travel demand. Travel Trade & Access: Maldives-linked visa-on-arrival lists continue to circulate, including Maldives among VOA-eligible countries.