Malé: The Maldives is renowned for being among the travel spots and is planning to raise its departure fees significantly in a move that might discourage numerous potential tourists starting December 1st. Travelers leaving the island nation will encounter costs according to their flight class; this development has sparked worries among visitors—those from India who regularly journey to the chain of islands.
Based on the information provided by sources, economy-class travelers will now have to pay $50 as exit fees from the previous $30 fee. Business class passengers will be required to pay $120 compared to the $60 fee. For first-class passengers, the exit fee has been increased to $240 from the charge of $90. Flying individuals will now have to pay an exit fee of $480 as opposed to the fee of $120. The tax will be imposed on all individuals who are not nationals regardless of their age and the distance they have traveled; this implies that travelers arriving from London will face similar fees to those coming from Delhi.
The tax increase was recently introduced by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority to fund the upkeep of Velana International Airport—a player in the country’s tourism sector sustainability efforts. To add on, most visitors might not even realize the added fees since they will be seamlessly included in their airfare costs.
The startup airline focusing on all-business-class travel to the Maldives has recommended its customers buy tickets before November 30th to dodge the introduced tax hikes.
The timing of this statement is quite delicate considering the diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives. This year saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, where he promoted tourism in the region—a decision that wasn’t well received. This resulted in some leaders urging a boycott of tourists, which ultimately led to a significant drop in Indian visitors to the Maldives, while Lakshadweep experienced a rise in tourist numbers.
Other possible holiday spots, like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, are now catching the eye of travelers looking for beach getaways. Given the increasing appeal of these destinations, the Maldives is feeling the heat as President Mohamed Muizzuan analyzes his approach towards India.
Relying on the tourism industry
The Maldives comprises around 1200 islands and atolls with a population of 520,000 inhabitants. The nation heavily depends on tourism and imports from India to support its economy. Given that a substantial portion of its income comes from visitors to the country, the ongoing diplomatic tension and higher taxes might have lasting effects on the tourism industry.
As the Maldives gears up for the season for tourism arrivals, authorities will be closely monitoring the effects of these fees on visitor numbers, particularly from one of their key markets, India.