President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced the introduction of a new national system aimed at ensuring that the benefits of the Maldives’ thriving tourism industry are distributed directly to Maldivian citizens, reinforcing the principle that the country’s people are the rightful stakeholders of its natural wealth. The announcement was made during the Presidential Address delivered at the first sitting of the first session of the 20th People’s Majlis for the year, where the President outlined a long-term vision for a more inclusive and equitable tourism-driven economy.
Under the proposed system, the Government will develop a minimum of ten resorts through a State-Owned Enterprise over the next three years, creating a new portfolio of nationally owned tourism assets. A significant share of profits generated by these resorts will be deposited equally into the bank accounts of every Maldivian citizen, without exception. These payments will be made annually in foreign currency, providing a stable and transparent source of income for households while linking national prosperity directly to tourism performance. The President further announced that new legislation will be introduced to designate every Maldivian citizen as a shareholder in all resorts developed under this initiative, formalising public ownership and embedding citizen participation into the structure of future tourism growth. According to projections shared in the address, tangible public benefits from this programme are expected to commence by 2030.
The President also emphasized the Government’s commitment to sustaining strong growth across the tourism sector, noting that Maldives Monetary Authority forecasts tourism revenue to reach USD 5.6 billion in 2026. Building on this momentum, the Government is targeting 2.5 million tourist arrivals this year, supported by continued expansion of accommodation capacity, diversification of tourism products, and enhanced international marketing. In alignment with these efforts, 2027 has been declared Visit Maldives Year, with the objective of transforming national tourism promotion into a unified and inclusive endeavour involving government institutions, industry stakeholders, and communities across the country.
Special attention is also being given to expanding tourism into six atolls where industry presence remains limited, creating new economic opportunities beyond traditional tourism hubs. Through special investment incentives, eight sites have already been awarded for development, with lease agreements signed for six of them, including one island dedicated specifically to Halal tourism. This initiative is expected to broaden the Maldives’ appeal to diverse global markets while encouraging balanced regional development and employment creation.
The President highlighted positive developments in Addu City, confirming the reopening of the Shangri-La Resort Maldives and the re-awarding of the previously stalled Hankede project for integrated tourism development. These projects are anticipated to enhance the southern region’s tourism profile, stimulate supporting industries, and contribute to long-term economic resilience.
Collectively, the announced measures reflect a strategic shift towards a people-centred tourism model that combines robust investment, diversified offerings, and direct citizen participation. For global audiences, the Maldives continues to position itself not only as a premier luxury destination, but also as a country pioneering innovative approaches to ensure that tourism-led growth translates into broad-based national prosperity.
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