Middle East Conflict Disrupts Maldives Tourism, 496 Flights Cancelled

Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has stated that 496 flights to the Maldives have been cancelled so far due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

He made the remarks during a press briefing held by a special ministerial committee established to assess and respond to the impact of the war. According to the Minister, the country has seen a noticeable decline in tourist arrivals, with average daily arrivals this month dropping by approximately 1,150 visitors.

The Minister said that the government’s immediate priority is to restore air connectivity by increasing flight frequencies and securing agreements with additional airlines. He noted that efforts are currently underway to begin operations with Ethiopian Airlines.

He further stated that discussions are ongoing with multiple airlines to increase flight frequencies and introduce services from new markets.

So far this year, the Maldives has welcomed more than 600,000 tourists. However, arrivals for this month have declined to 143,000, marking an 18 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.

The Minister also said that Bank of Maldives is providing assistance to support resorts facing financial challenges during this period.

In addition, efforts are being intensified to promote the Maldives in key markets. Digital marketing campaigns are being expanded, particularly targeting India and Asean countries, with a campaign expected to generate over 200 million impressions set to begin this week. He added that specific regions within India will also be targeted.

The disruption to tourism is linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, followed by retaliatory actions, have significantly affected air travel across the region.

As a result, key transit hubs such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have faced major disruptions. This has led to a reduction in flights that typically bring large numbers of tourists to the Maldives, leaving many travelers stranded and causing a surge in booking cancellations.