Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim, has stated that all international airlines will be able to be transferred to the new terminal at Velana International Airport by the end of this year. The Minister made this statement in a special interview given to PSM News on the occasion of the government’s two-year anniversary. The government is undertaking numerous efforts to advance the Maldives’ tourism industry. In this regard, one of the most notable projects is the completion of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport and its opening in July of this year.
In the special interview with PSM News, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim stated that the significant expansion of tourism in the Maldives is due to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s opening of the new terminal at Velana International Airport. The Minister noted that the new terminal is now fully operational, and work is underway to transfer international airlines to it. “I believe that by the end of this year, operations will begin to provide services to all incoming international flights from the new terminal. This is a very significant advancement for Maldivian tourism,” the Minister said.
The Minister of Tourism stated that due to a lack of tourism development in certain regions of the country, the President has decided to develop tourism in those areas. These include Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Laamu, and Addu City. Therefore, the Minister noted that islands have been opened for tourism in these regions with additional concessions. “Under these concessions, approximately 42 islands have been opened up. Among them, 6 islands are for halal tourism, which is a completely new concept. While these 6 islands were opened, one has already been awarded. Additionally, 17 islands have been opened through open bidding, out of which 2 have now been awarded, and an agreement for one of them has also been signed with the respective party. Furthermore, 19 islands have been opened through closed bidding, and of those, 6 have been awarded, and contracts for 2 have now been finalized,” the Minister stated.
The Minister said that significant eases have now been provided for parties wishing to invest in the Maldives. Within the first two years of this government, 6,223 beds have been added to the tourism sector. In the current year, 2025, a total of 122 new establishments have been registered to provide services to tourists in the Maldives. This includes 2 resorts, 1 tourist hotel, 87 guesthouses, 20 homestay tourist guesthouses, and 12 tourist vessels.
