A German man was the first tourist to arrive in the Maldives in 2026. Thomas Andreas Hellweger, who arrived on an Etihad flight with his wife on their first visit to the country, was greeted with a ceremonial welcome. Despite record-breaking arrivals of more than 218,000 tourists in December, total arrivals for 2025 fell short of the government's target of 2.3 million. A total of 2,240,711 arrivals were recorded as of December 30, up 9.8 percent from 2024. China was the top market with 329,286 tourists, representing a 14.7 percent market share, followed by Russia (277,391 tourists), UK (201,797 tourists), Germany (167,481 tourists) and Italy (152,259 tourists). India, the post-pandemic top source market, fell to sixth place with 131,470 holidaymakers – down from a peak of 209,198 in 2023 – failing to recover after a diplomatic spat in January 2024 triggered a boycott campaign. The US, France, Spain and Switzerland rounded out the top 10 markets. There were 178 resorts, 973 guesthouses, 16 hotels, and 163 safari vessels in operation with a combined bed capacity of 67,475.
Upon request from the Maldives government, the Airports Authority of India is studying a proposal to engage Indian companies to manage the Hanimaadhoo airport, which was recently upgraded by India's JMC with loan assistance from India, The Hindu reported. AAI manages 26 state government airports and owns 113 airports managed by private operators, including the GMR company that was evicted from the Maldives in December 2012.
The homeland security ministry tightened rules for issuing quotas for migrant workers, requiring a notarised work site declaration form for registration. If the work site is rented, the ministry will have the discretion to ask for a copy of the lease agreement in addition to other documents. Registered work sites will have a month to update the information or face suspension.
The depiction of President Muizzu during the New Year's Eve drone show drew criticism on social media. The drone show was part of celebrations in Hulhumalé that featured fireworks.
Thalassemia patients were invited to apply for a new monthly allowance of MVR 2,000 (US$ 130) that President Muizzu pledged to introduce in January. NSPA's rules for eligibility require the patient to be on the national registry.
President Muizzu established the Maldives Zakat House to operate under the Islamic ministry as the new Zakat Act came into force. The law "provides a comprehensive legal framework for the payment, administration and distribution of Zakat in the Maldives in accordance with Islamic principles, ensuring the effective and transparent management of Zakat funds," the President's Office said. The annual charity payments, obligatory under Islam, becomes a legal obligation under the law. The president also established the Maldives Intellectual Property Office under the new IP protection law that came into force on January 1.
The state-owned Maldives Transport and Contracting Company posted a net profit before tax of MVR 15.7 million (US$ 1 million) for the third quarter of 2025. During Q3-2025, MTCC launched the RTL speedboat ferry service in Baa and Thaa atolls, mobilised 44 infrastructure projects, and signed contracts for 63 new projects, including harbour, land reclamation, shore protection and building construction.
The Elections Commission streamlined membership registration processes through its online portal and enabled quitting political parties with immediate effect.
MACL warned of legal action against unauthorised services such as currency exchange and SIM card sales outside the Velana International Airport's terminal.
More than 4,800 cases of breast cancer were detected during the past four years, IGMH told Mihaaru in response to a right to information request.
Funadhoo became the final domestic airport to be equipped with night landing facilities.
