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In sign of post-emergency recovery, Maldives tourist arrivals gain 10 percent in June

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Maldives on Wednesday reported a major increase in tourist arrivals, in the first signs of recovery after a new wave of domestic political turmoil rocked the island nation.

Maldives attracted a wave of bad publicity following the recent declaration of a state of emergency, which ended in March. However, the political turmoil was strictly restricted to the capital city, away from the resorts and local islands where holidaymakers stay in.

The political turmoil led to rare declines of 0.1 percent and 0.6 percent in tourist arrivals in April and May.

However, official figures for the month of June released by the tourism ministry show that a total of 93,786 tourists visited the Maldives during the month — a 1o percent increase over the 85,222 tourists in June 2017.

Europe, the largest regional source market, posted an overall growth of 5.4 percent over June 2017, as arrivals increased to 30,765 from 29,194.

The UK, which is the single biggest European source market, made a gain of 6.2 percent, while several other major European markets such as Italy, France and Spain also posted gains of 16.9 percent, 50.8 percent and 38.9 percent respectively. However, Germany, the second most important European source market, declined by 23.3 percent in June.

Russian travellers continued to show their appetite for the Maldives, as arrival numbers jumped 11.8 percent in June to reach 3,646 from 3,262 in June 2017. This strong performance last month translated into an impressive growth of 25.4 percent in arrivals from Russia for the first six months of the year.

After a decline of 8.8 percent in May, arrivals from Asia, the second largest regional source market, also increased 8.9 percent in June.

Arrivals from China once again declined by 5.4 percent to reach 22,853 compared to the 24,160 in June 2017. This decline, which came after declines of 27.5 percent, 28 percent and 27.1 percent in March, April and May respectively as well as 15.8 percent in January, offset the rare gain in arrival numbers from China in February and led to a 10 percent decline in arrivals from the Maldives’ single biggest source market for the January-June period.

Meanwhile, almost all major contributors to Maldives tourism from South East Asia continued to post strong gains in June as well, with arrivals from countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines increasing by 91.8 percent, 109.4 percent and 1.6 percent respectively. However, arrivals from Singapore again saw a decrease of 6.3 percent in June after a rare uptick of 2.9 percent in May.

Arrivals from South Asia, which has become one of the fastest growing source markets, also posted a gain of 6.2 percent in June. This is largely due to a 6.2 percent increase in the number of tourists from India, the most important market in the region.

Along with the strong performance in established markets, relatively new markets also continued their upward growth trajectory last month, as arrivals from the Americas were up 14.4 percent and Oceania up 23.6 percent.

Arrivals from the US, which last year secured a place amongst the top 10 contributors to the Maldives tourism industry, increased by 13.6 percent to reach 3,129 last month compared to the 2,754 in June 2017, while the number of visitors from Australia also increased by 22.9 percent. South Africa, which has been on the recovery, also posted an increase of 16.4 percent.

Middle East, which has proven to be a volatile market, recorded gains of 74.5 percent in June after a decline of 24.1 percent in May. Arrivals from almost all major Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Egypt posted major gains of 252.2 percent, 15.2 percent, 680 percent and 23.2 percent respectively. However, United Arab Emirates, one of the most important Middle Eastern markets, posted a rare decline of 7.7 percent.

According to the June statistics, total arrivals for the first six months of the year increased by 10.5 percent to reach 726,515 compared to the 657,540 in the same period of last year.

In addition to the political turmoil, the Maldives is currently experiencing the traditionally low season.

May to November is considered the low tourist season, as these months constitute rainy season in Maldives. Between May and November, the islands boast of wet weather, making it less ideal for tourists to travel and enjoy the tropical environment.

Over the past five years, dozens of uninhabited islands have been leased to local and foreign resort developers. Several international brands have entered into the market, increasing the number of resorts to 120. That number is set to increase as the government has announced the opening of some 20 new resorts over the next two years.

Along with the new resort openings come the challenge of increasing demand from budget travellers who choose guesthouses over luxury resorts that the Maldives is known for. The guesthouse sector has rapidly expanded with over 450 guesthouses in operation today.

The government last year announced new steps to maintain a structured growth in tourism, including a slowdown in leasing islands for resort development and increased marketing efforts in key markets such as China and the Middle East in order to reach an ambitious target of a record 1.5 million tourist arrivals this year.

Photo: Lily Beach Resort and Spa Maldives

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Dubai Chocolate Brownies in Maldives: BBM, Dreidoppel conclude pastry tour

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BBM’s exclusive Dreidoppel Demo Tour, led by Master Pâtissier Frankie Robin, concluded successfully on Apr 30th, after a 10-day pastry training series across 15 leading Maldivian resorts that requested the training. Two city bakeries were also trained on the 30th. The initiative brought together global expertise and a strong commitment to raising pastry standards in the local hospitality industry.

This year’s sessions focused on practical pastry solutions using Dreidoppel’s premium ingredient range to create Panettone, Dubai chocolate brownies, Mousses, Crème Brûlée, Fill & Gloss applications, and Caramel Chocolate Snacks.

A standout feature of the tour was the passion shown by young chefs across the islands.

Chef Frankie Robin remarked, “What truly impressed me was how prepared and passionate the young chefs were. Their eagerness to learn, experiment, and take their skills to world-class standards made every session an absolute joy.”

Grounded in real kitchen challenges—speed, flavour, and efficiency—Chef Frankie’s demos showcased how smart ingredient choices can drive both creativity and performance.

A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added, “At BBM, we believe in more than just supplying ingredients—we are committed to the professional growth of the industry. Collaborations like this empower culinary teams with global techniques and greater confidence.”

The tour reflects BBM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Maldivian foodservice industry through knowledge-sharing and access to world-class products.

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BBM brings Vaseline, Hellmann’s, BRU Coffee to Maldives market

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Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) extended their strong and decades old partnership with Unilever International, by adding to their brand portfolio – Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and BRU Coffee for the Maldivian market.

The collaboration was announced at a Business gathering held at the Manhattan Business Hotel, attended by over 300 trade partners from across Maldives.

With this partnership, BBM strengthens its retail offerings across the Maldives archipelago. Vaseline, a trusted name in skincare, and Hellmann’s, known globally for quality food products, will now be available through BBM’s distribution network.

“Vaseline is a name that generations trust for skin care. And Hellmann’s is a global icon in flavours. We’re proud to bring both to shelves across the Maldives and enrich everyday living for our customers,” said Muksith Hussain, Business Head – Retail.

In the hospitality sector, BBM introduces Bru Coffee as an addition to its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) offerings. BRU Coffee provides a quality beverage option for hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Maldives.

“BRU is one of the most loved coffee brands in the region. With this launch, we’re giving our hospitality partners a versatile product that delivers on both taste and reliability that can be consumed as a beverage and for the purpose of dessert preparation, something they can serve with confidence,” said Hisham Girsy, Business Head – HORECA.

The gathering served as a platform for BBM to engage with its valued trade partners and introduce these new brands to the market.

A.V.S Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, remarked: “BBM is built on relationships. This event reflects our commitment to not just introduce great products but to support, connect, and elevate our trade partners. We’re in this together, and the journey ahead is promising.”

As BBM continues to grow its portfolio and global partnerships, the focus remains clear delivering excellence, building trust, and shaping the future of trade in the Maldives.

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) is a leading distribution company in the Maldives, connecting international brands with local businesses across retail and hospitality sectors. With a customer-focused approach and extensive distribution network, BBM continues to be a trusted partner in the Maldivian market.

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Redefining corporate retreats at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

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MICE travel is undergoing a sea change—quite literally. No longer limited to traditional conference rooms and structured schedules, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) are now about creating moments that inspire, rejuvenate, and bring teams closer together. At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, the boundaries between business and leisure blur, offering a setting that transforms work into a pleasure.

Just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is the ideal destination for teams looking to escape the expected. Here, brainstorming sessions take place on powder-soft beaches, where the rhythmic waves set the pace for new ideas. Mornings might begin with yoga by the ocean, followed by strategy meetings in open-air pavilions. Afternoons invite collaborative workshops under swaying palms or team-building activities that include snorkelling, paddleboarding, or even a friendly beach volleyball match.

Dining at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives elevates every corporate event with fresh, sea-to-table cuisine, designed to fuel both body and mind. From curated group dinners under star-streaked skies to themed private banquets, every meal becomes an experience in itself. For those looking to celebrate milestones or reward top performers, the resort’s scenic locations offer the perfect backdrop for gala evenings or intimate cocktail gatherings.

Accommodation blends comfort with elegance, offering ocean-view suites and beachside retreats that allow participants to rest, recharge, and return with a fresh perspective. Despite the remote charm, connectivity is never an issue—seamless Wi-Fi and business-friendly amenities ensure that productivity doesn’t pause, even in paradise.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives turns corporate travel into something memorable. Whether it’s a leadership retreat, a high-level conference, or an incentive escape, the resort offers a canvas for events that leave lasting impressions. Here, business goals are pursued in harmony with nature, creativity flows effortlessly, and the line between work and well-being fades.

Let your next MICE experience be more than a meeting—make it a journey worth sharing.

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