Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has stated that around 30 per cent of airlines bringing tourists to the Maldives operate through the Middle East, and ongoing conflict in the region has disrupted travel routes, reducing tourism capacity.

The Minister made the remarks at a press briefing held by a special committee formed by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to address potential impacts of the Middle East conflict on the Maldives.

Minister Thoriq said tourist arrivals increased earlier this year, rising by 5 per cent in January and 17.6 per cent in February. However, the instability in the Middle East has begun affecting visitor numbers.

He noted that the Government is working with the Ministry of Transport and other relevant agencies to mitigate the disruptions. Efforts are underway to attract additional airlines and increase the frequency of existing routes.

The minister also said discussions are ongoing with several governments to improve connectivity, including talks with Türkiye to expand Turkish Airlines services to the Maldives.

He added that resort booking cancellations have increased for this month and the next due to the conflict, though cancellations appear to decline for later dates.

Minister Thoriq said the Government’s immediate priority has been assisting tourists currently in the Maldives. Assistance has already been provided to 1,885 tourists, and authorities are working to introduce a dedicated hotline to expand support services.

He called on all stakeholders to work together to minimise the impact of the regional conflict on the country’s tourism sector.