The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has reported that diving schools recorded the strongest revenue growth across the tourism sector during the latest tax period, with earnings rising 47.7 per cent year-on-year.

According to MIRA's quarterly report covering the December 2025 to February 2026 tax period, revenue generated by diving schools increased from MVR 21.68 million during the corresponding period last year to MVR 32.03 million. The authority said the sector's growth exceeded the overall growth recorded across the tourism industry.

Overall, the tourism sector generated MVR 447 million in output tax during the first quarter, representing a 20.5 per centincrease compared with MVR 371 million collected during the same period last year. MIRA also reported an 11.6 per cent increase in tourist arrivals during the tax period, contributing to the sector's continued growth.

Among other tourism-related businesses, revenue from water sports centres rose 49.2 per cent, increasing from MVR 8.2 million to MVR 12.37 million. Guesthouse revenue recorded the highest percentage growth at 60.8 per cent, although MIRA noted that the segment accounts for a relatively small share of the tourism industry. Resorts, which remain the largest contributor to tourism revenue, recorded 21 per cent growth over the same period.

MIRA also reported a 39.5 per cent increase in GST collected from diving schools. According to the quarterly report, growth in the diving sector continued to outpace the overall expansion of the tourism industry.