Visit Maldives cuts membership fees for guesthouses down to USD 350

Visit Maldives Corporation has reduced its membership fee down to as low as USD 350 in a move it says it aimed at boosting participation from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including guesthouses, liveaboards, and travel agencies.

Visit Maldives previously charged an annual membership fee of USD 2,000 for resorts, and USD 1,000 for guesthouses, liveaboards and travel agencies.

The corporation has reduced this fee to USD 350 for guesthouses less than 25 rooms, and MVR 750 for other guesthouses, liveaboards and travel agencies.

In a statement announcing the changes on Sunday, the Visit Maldives said that this initiative reflects the corporation’s dedication to supporting smaller operators while maintaining strong destination marketing momentum with the support of local NGOs.

Visit Maldives believes the introduction of more accessible and lower-priced membership options will enable a broader range of SMEs across the country to join the corporation’s marketing network.

“These measures aim to ensure that every segment of the tourism sector—large or small—has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from global promotion of the Maldives,” said the corporation.

Visit Maldives also plans to reduce participation fees for roadshows and promotional activities for resorts, guesthouses, travel agencies, and liveaboards. In addition, SMEs will have access to flexible non-physical participation options, including digital showcases, representation services, and shared lead-generation support, allowing businesses to engage in international markets without travelling overseas.

To further support industry partners, Visit Maldives plans to facilitate content trips and high-quality content-sharing initiatives, enabling resorts and guesthouses to receive professional marketing assets.

Ibrahim Shiuree, the CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives, believes that supporting SME growth is essential for the long-term sustainability and diversity of Maldivian tourism.

“These measures ensure that guesthouses, liveaboards, and travel agencies across all atolls are better represented, more visible, and more included in our destination marketing efforts, with the support of local NGOs,” he added.

Visit Maldives said that these initiatives reinforce their commitment to building a more inclusive and collaborative tourism ecosystem and align with the government’s Maldives 2.0 vision, promoting greater opportunity for all operators.