Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) is advancing efforts to develop halal tourism as a dedicated segment of the Maldives’ national tourism portfolio, reflecting the Government’s broader strategy to diversify the country’s tourism industry and strengthen its appeal among high-value international travel markets.
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, Mr Abdulla Yasir, met with His Excellency Sheikh Yousef Hasan Khalawi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, on 2 September 2026 at the VMC office to discuss opportunities to support the development and international positioning of halal tourism in the Maldives.
The discussions were held in line with the vision of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to establish halal tourism as a recognised and competitive component of the Maldives’ tourism offering. The initiative is expected to complement the country’s internationally established position as a premium island destination while creating new opportunities to attract Muslim travellers seeking high-quality holiday experiences that correspond with their religious and cultural preferences.
VMC has already commenced preliminary work to evaluate the potential of the halal tourism segment, including identifying resorts and hotels that may be interested in developing halal-aligned tourism products and services. The Corporation is also examining suitable certification pathways, internationally recognised service standards and specialised facilities that could support the introduction of high-quality halal tourism experiences across the destination.
The Maldives’ extensive resort portfolio places the country in a strong position to develop this emerging segment. The destination is internationally known for its private-island resort model, premium villas, personalised hospitality, secluded accommodation, scenic beaches, marine environments and highly customised guest services. These characteristics provide significant flexibility for resorts seeking to design tailored experiences for Muslim families, couples and other travellers looking for greater privacy, family-oriented services and facilities aligned with halal tourism requirements.
The development of halal-focused resort experiences could also enable properties to introduce dedicated dining arrangements, certified halal food preparation standards, appropriate prayer facilities, family-focused recreational environments and other customised services based on the requirements of individual markets. Resorts may be able to integrate such services within their existing premium hospitality concepts while maintaining the high standards of accommodation, privacy and personal service for which the Maldives is recognised internationally.
Mr Yasir said developing halal tourism is among the key priorities of Visit Maldives Corporation and forms part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision to broaden and diversify the Maldives’ tourism offering.
“The Maldives has established itself globally as a leader in luxury and sustainable tourism, and we see considerable potential to build on these strengths to develop premium halal tourism experiences for a growing international market. Our focus will be on working with the industry to develop this segment to standards that reflect the quality and reputation of the Maldives as a destination,” Mr Yasir said.
The initiative could provide additional commercial opportunities for Maldivian resorts by allowing them to access a growing international Muslim travel market while strengthening the country’s presence in regions where demand for halal-friendly hospitality continues to expand. The Maldives’ geographical accessibility, internationally recognised hospitality sector and extensive range of luxury resorts provide a strong foundation from which specialised products can be developed for travellers from the Middle East, Asia and other key global markets.
During the meeting, Sheikh Yousef Hasan Khalawi shared insights drawn from his extensive experience in organising major halal-focused events internationally. Discussions considered how international expertise, private-sector participation and knowledge exchange could contribute to the development of the halal tourism segment in the Maldives.
The meeting also explored opportunities to introduce high-value halal-focused tourism events to the Maldives. Such events could support greater engagement between tourism operators, hospitality professionals, international businesses, certification organisations and investors, while creating further opportunities to promote the Maldives as a destination capable of offering premium services to the global Muslim travel market.
The expansion of halal tourism is expected to complement the Maldives’ existing tourism strengths rather than replace its established tourism products. By providing resorts and hotels with opportunities to develop specialised experiences for different categories of travellers, the initiative could broaden the destination’s international appeal and increase its competitiveness in emerging and specialised tourism markets.
For the resort industry, the segment could also encourage further innovation in guest services and product development. Individual properties could determine the level of halal-aligned services most appropriate to their market positioning, allowing luxury resorts, family-oriented properties and other hospitality establishments to develop offerings suited to their respective clientele.
The initiative also reflects the Government’s continued emphasis on diversifying the Maldives’ tourism industry and identifying new areas of international demand. Establishing halal tourism as a clearly defined segment could provide the industry with additional opportunities for targeted destination marketing, strategic partnerships and engagement with international organisations specialising in halal commerce, hospitality and tourism.
VMC will continue consultations with tourism industry stakeholders to identify appropriate approaches for developing halal-aligned services and experiences. The Corporation will also examine relevant international certification requirements and service standards to ensure that future tourism products maintain the quality and credibility expected of the Maldives as a globally recognised destination.
Further cooperation and knowledge exchange with international partners will also be explored as Visit Maldives Corporation works towards establishing halal tourism as a distinct, professionally developed and internationally competitive segment within the country’s tourism portfolio.
Under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the Government’s focus on expanding specialised tourism segments is expected to create additional opportunities for the industry while supporting the Maldives’ long-term objective of strengthening its competitiveness, attracting diverse categories of international visitors and maintaining its position among the world’s leading premium tourism destinations.
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