Tourist Arrivals in Maldives Show Mixed Trends Amid Conflict-Related Challenges Tourist arrivals in the Maldives experienced a mixed performance in the first three months of 2026, with January and February showing growth compared to the same period in 2025, but March witnessing a sharp decline of 20.7% year-on-year. Official data released on April 1, 2026, indicated that the country recorded 653,513 visitor arrivals, marking a 0.7% increase from the previous year. This figure contradicts claims of a dramatic collapse in tourism, as the government and industry stakeholders emphasized sustained connectivity and efforts to mitigate the impact of global disruptions. The decline in March was attributed to flight safety concerns and route adjustments stemming from the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict. The Maldives, which relies heavily on international tourism, is deeply interconnected with global aviation routes. While travelers from major Asian cities like Dubai, Doha, and Singapore have direct access, long-haul visitors from the United States, Europe, South America, and Australia typically transit through hubs such as Istanbul or Colombo. Airspace disruptions and rerouting caused by the conflict significantly affected travel sentiment, particularly among long-haul markets. Despite these challenges, airlines have adapted to maintain connectivity. British Airways and Edelweiss Air expanded flight frequencies, while Air India and Aeroflot introduced alternative routes to ensure access to the Maldives. According to the Maldives Airports Company Limited and Visit Maldives, these measures reflect ongoing efforts to stabilize tourism despite global disruptions. The Maldivian government acknowledged the impact of the Middle East situation on tourism during a press briefing on March 22, 2026.#air_india #maldives #british_airways #edelweiss_air #aeroflot
