- A high-level Maldivian delegation led by Tourism Minister Mohamed Ameen will visit Moscow and St Petersburg from 17 to 21 August 2026 to strengthen ties with Russia, its second-largest visitor market.
- Talks will focus on expanding direct flight capacity, enhancing civil aviation agreements, and coordinating joint promotional initiatives with Russian tour operators, travel platforms, and hospitality brands.
- Russia accounted for 192,453 visitors (14.7 per cent of arrivals) so far in 2026, and the visit supports preparations for Visit Maldives Year 2027.
The Maldives will undertake a high-level visit to Russia next week as it seeks to maintain demand from its second-largest visitor market, deepen travel trade relationships and explore stronger air connectivity.
Led by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, the delegation will visit Moscow and St Petersburg from 17 to 21 August 2026. The group includes senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), national carrier Maldivian, and leading private-sector tourism stakeholders.
Russia currently represents one of the primary source markets for the Maldivian travel economy. Official figures released by the ministry show that as of 12 August 2026, the Maldives welcomed 192,453 Russian visitors during the year. This accounts for 14.7 per cent of total international tourist arrivals, establishing Russia as the archipelago’s second-largest source market. In 2025, the market recorded a total of 278,761 arrivals.
During the five-day itinerary, delegates will conduct bilateral talks with senior representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation. Discussions will focus primarily on expanding direct flight capacity, enhancing civil aviation agreements, and resolving logistical bottlenecks between the two nations.
“Russia has been a steadfast friend of the Maldives, and we are grateful to every traveller who has chosen our islands,” said Minister Mohamed Ameen ahead of the departure. “This visit is about listening to our partners, keeping our guests connected to our shores, and preparing together for Visit Maldives Year 2027. We travel with hope, and with the interests of our people at heart.”
The delegation has scheduled meetings with prominent Russian tour operators, travel trade organisations, digital booking platforms, and hospitality brands across Moscow and St Petersburg. Officials stated that these engagements intend to gather market intelligence, assess evolving traveller preferences, and co-ordinate joint promotional initiatives ahead of the upcoming peak winter travel season.
In addition to trade meetings, the delegation will host two industry networking events in Moscow and St Petersburg. These gatherings will bring together Russian travel trade representatives, local commercial partners, and members of the media to showcase updated Maldivian tourism offerings.
Government officials noted that consolidating government department heads, destination marketers, airport authorities, and private operators into a unified delegation will streamline multi-sector talks across aviation policy and commercial promotion.
The initiative forms part of a wider strategic push to maintain destination visibility in Eastern Europe while laying the ground for Visit Maldives Year 2027, a major national promotional campaign intended to drive long-term tourist growth.
