Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has announced a significant reduction in membership fees for guesthouses, a move designed to strengthen participation from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and widen industry access to the Maldives’ global marketing network. Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, VMC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree stated that the annual membership cost for guesthouses has been substantially revised to reflect business size and support broader inclusion across the sector.
Under the updated structure, guesthouses that previously paid USD 1,000 per year will now benefit from tiered pricing, with smaller properties operating fewer than 25 rooms required to pay USD 350, while larger guesthouses with more than 25 rooms will pay USD 750. VMC noted that guesthouses are required to pay the membership fee at the start of every year, and the 2026 changes are intended to make participation more accessible and financially manageable for operators across the country, particularly those in emerging islands and developing tourism communities.
For 2026, VMC is also set to introduce more accessible and lower-priced membership options that will enable a broader range of SMEs to join and engage directly with destination marketing efforts. The initiative is positioned to ensure that every segment of the tourism sector, large or small has an opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from, the international promotion of the Maldives, while supporting the long-term sustainability of the country’s tourism brand through deeper industry participation.
Beyond membership fees, VMC will reduce participation costs for roadshows and promotional activities for resorts, guesthouses, travel agencies, and liveaboards, reinforcing a more inclusive approach to international outreach. For resorts in particular, the lower barrier to participating in global campaigns can strengthen visibility in key markets, support seasonal sales drives, and enhance collaboration with trade partners, while ensuring the destination’s messaging remains unified and competitive. The expanded affordability is expected to encourage more resort brands to join promotional efforts at scale, helping the Maldives maintain strong momentum in high-value markets and diversify visitor interest across product segments.
To further ensure SMEs can participate effectively, VMC will provide flexible non-physical participation options such as digital showcases, representation services, and shared lead-generation support. These solutions are expected to help tourism businesses reach international audiences without the operational costs of overseas travel, while still connecting with tour operators, travel media, and distribution partners through structured engagement models supported by VMC.
As part of its partner-support strategy, VMC will also facilitate content trips and high-quality content-sharing initiatives, enabling resorts and guesthouses to receive professional marketing assets that can be used across campaigns and sales channels. This collaborative approach is expected to strengthen the Maldives’ destination content library while also enhancing the visibility of individual operators through refreshed visuals and storytelling that meet international market expectations. Overall, VMC’s 2026 measures signal a more inclusive destination-marketing model aimed at driving collective growth, expanding opportunity for SMEs, and reinforcing the Maldives’ global positioning through broader industry collaboration.
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