Maldives to Designate Islands Exclusively for Halal Tourism, Says President Muizzu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a major new initiative to diversify the Maldives’ tourism portfolio by designating several islands exclusively for the development of halal tourism.

The announcement was made via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, where the President described the Maldives as a global leader in sustainable tourism and hospitality. He stated that the country now aims to become a benchmark for halal tourism as well.

“The Maldives’ tourism industry is celebrated around the world. We now aim to be a leader in halal tourism,” the President said, highlighting that the new halal tourism islands will come with “substantial incentives” for investors. The move is expected to open new market opportunities while aligning with Islamic travel values.

Further details of the plan will be announced by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy in the coming week. The President also reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to remaining open to international investment.

In parallel with this halal tourism push, the government continues efforts to expand into other tourism sectors, including high-end, local, sports, and entertainment tourism. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy and enhance the visitor experience.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, over 1.02 million tourists have visited the Maldives so far in 2025. The government is targeting 2.3 million arrivals this year and aims to raise annual tourism revenue to USD 6 billion by 2027.