Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim has revealed that 496 flights to the Maldives have been cancelled due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, significantly impacting the country’s tourism sector.

Speaking at a press conference, Thoriq said the decline in flights has led to a drop of around 1,150 tourist arrivals on average. He noted that the government is prioritizing efforts to increase flight frequency and expand partnerships with new airlines to restore connectivity.

Discussions are ongoing with several airlines, including plans to resume operations with Ethiopian Airlines. The minister added that reduced tourist arrivals are affecting resort revenues, with Bank of Maldives (BML) providing financial support to the sector.

To boost tourism, the government has intensified marketing campaigns in key markets such as India and China. A major digital campaign targeting Indian and ASEAN audiences is set to launch this week, aiming to reach over 200 million people.