Maldives diving schools record fastest growth in tourism sector

MALE: Diving schools recorded the fastest growth within the Maldives' tourism sector. Revenue rose by 47.7% in the latest reporting period, PSM News, state media of the Maldives, reported on Saturday, citing data from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority.

The broader tourism sector generated $447 million in output tax during the reporting period from December 2025 to February 2026, up 20.5% from $371 million in the corresponding period a year earlier, PSM News said.

Revenue from diving schools rose to $32.03 million from $21.68 million a year earlier, making them the fastest-growing segment in the industry, the report said.

Other marine recreation businesses also posted strong growth. Revenue from water sports centres increased by 49.2% to $12.37 million from $8.2 million, while homestay guesthouses recorded 60.8% growth, although their contribution to the wider tourism market remained relatively small.

Resorts, which still account for the largest share of tourism revenue in the Maldives, posted a revenue increase of 21%.

PSM News said the growth came as total tourist arrivals to the Maldives rose by 11.6% during the reporting period.

(With inputs from RSS/Xinhua)