The Maldives has officially unveiled Visit Maldives Year 2027 – Celebrate the Sunny Side to international media and travel trade partners at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, marking the beginning of a global invitation to experience and celebrate the destination throughout the coming year.
Visit Maldives Year 2027 was officially designated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during his 2026 Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis. The initiative brings together tourism establishments, island communities and international partners to showcase the breadth of experiences across the Maldives. Spanning resort celebrations, local island festivals, cultural experiences, culinary events, wellness, adventure and marine activities, Visit Maldives Year 2027 aims to inspire travellers to explore more of the destination while creating opportunities for the tourism industry to participate in a coordinated, year-long celebration.
Highlighting the national vision behind the initiative, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Mohamed Ameen, stated that “Visit Maldives Year 2027 is a shared national journey to bring our people and the entire tourism industry together in showcasing the very best of the Maldives to the world. It is a celebration of our unique identity, rich culture, warm hospitality and diverse experiences, while creating new opportunities for our businesses and communities. Together, we aim to inspire the world to discover the Maldives, strengthen our place as a leading global destination, and build a brighter future for our tourism industry. Let us make 2027 a year to remember as we celebrate the sunny side of life with the world.”
The international unveiling took place at a dedicated press conference titled “Celebrate the Sunny Side – An Invitation to the World”, attended by Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Mohamed Ameen, alongside senior government officials, tourism industry leaders and international media. The event introduced the vision for Visit Maldives Year 2027, highlighting a year of celebrations, destination experiences and opportunities for international collaboration to support tourism growth. The campaign was introduced by Abdulla Yasir, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), followed by remarks from Minister Mohamed Ameen.
The unveiling also features a leadership panel, with the participation of Hussain Afeef, Chairman of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and recipient of the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin; Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Mohamed Ameen and Abdulla Giyas Riyaz, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Visit Maldives Corporation, Mr Ibrahim Siyad Qasim, Chief Executive Officer of Villa Resorts. The discussion explored the national tourism vision, industry participation, investment opportunities and international partnerships supporting the ambitions of Visit Maldives Year 2027.
The launch comes as the Maldives continues efforts to strengthen its position across established tourism markets while expanding opportunities for visitor growth. According to statistics published by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Maldives welcomed 1,762,751 tourists between January and October 2026, with Europe accounting for 56.9% of arrivals. China remained the largest individual source market with 331,817 tourists, followed by Russia with 256,822 and the United Kingdom with 135,897.
With the UK ranking as the Maldives’ third-largest source market, WTM London provides a platform to strengthen trade relationships across Europe and other key international markets. The exhibition also offers an opportunity to build on existing airline, tour operator and travel platform partnerships as the destination prepares for Visit Maldives Year 2027.
Speaking on the significance of the international unveiling, Abdulla Yasir, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, stated, “I extend my sincere appreciation to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for his leadership in initiating Visit Maldives Year 2027. This initiative marks a crucial strategic step for the nation, establishing a powerful platform to amplify our global presence, elevate destination visibility, and drive sustainable tourism arrivals. Unveiling this campaign at WTM London sets the stage for an ambitious year ahead, one where strong industry partnerships will be vital to inspiring more travelers to choose the Maldives in 2027.”
The Maldives is participating at WTM London 2026 with a delegation of 161 representatives, including 136 participants from 62 tourism companies. The three-day exhibition, held from 3–5 November at ExCeL London, provides opportunities for Maldivian tourism businesses to engage with international buyers, strengthen commercial relationships and showcase their tourism offerings.
Another highlight of the Maldives’ participation was the launching of the 2027 edition of the Visit Maldives Destination Guide, continuing the annual tradition of unveiling the official destination’s guide at WTM London. The publication features the Maldives’ tourism experiences and travel information, providing a resource for international trade partners and visitors planning their holidays.
Throughout the exhibition, Visit Maldives will engage with international tour operators, airlines, online travel platforms and media organisations to explore joint marketing activities, destination promotions and partnerships aimed at increasing visitor arrivals in 2027.
The international unveiling of Visit Maldives Year 2027 marks the start of a wider promotional effort to build anticipation for the celebrations, encourage greater industry participation and invite travellers from around the world to Celebrate the Sunny Side.
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