Maldives Tourism Law Amendments 2025 – Local & Foreign Tour Operator Licensing Requirements

heymaldive
10 minutes ago
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On 6 December 2025, the Maldives Government announced major amendments to the Maldives Tourism Law (Law No. 2/99). These updates introduce 16 new regulatory changes, including new licensing rules for local tour operators, foreign tour operators, and tour guides. The revised law will be officially gazetted within 90 days by the Ministry of Tourism.

These reforms aim to strengthen tourism standards, ensure transparency, and protect consumers across all travel-related activities conducted in the Maldives.

Local Tour Operator License Requirements

1. Mandatory Tour Operator License from Ministry of Tourism

All Maldivian entities offering tourism services must obtain a Tour Operator License directly from the Ministry of Tourism. No operator may legally conduct business without this license.

2. Multiple Categories of Tour Operator Licenses

The Ministry will introduce different categories, such as:

Local inbound operator
Online travel agency (OTA)
International partnership operator

3. Strict Qualification & Compliance Rules

Operators must meet updated terms, conditions, and competency criteria, including staff qualifications, documentation standards, pricing transparency, and operational guidelines.

4. Mandatory Physical or Verified Digital Office

All operators must maintain:

A physical office in the Maldives, or
A verified digital office for online-based operations.

5. Agreements With Registered Tourism Service Providers

Tour operators must sign official agreements with:

Resorts & hotels
Guesthouses
Yacht charters
Diving & excursion providers
Transport operators

These agreements must follow the formats approved by the Ministry of Tourism.

Foreign Tour Operator License Requirements (NEW 2025 Amendment)

1. New Mandatory Foreign Tour Operator License

All foreign tour operators selling or promoting tourism services in the Maldives must obtain the newly introduced Foreign Tour Operator License.This will become enforceable within 90 days once the regulation is gazetted by the Ministry.

Foreign companies cannot sell Maldives packages without this license.

2. Affiliation With a Licensed Maldivian Tour Operator

To qualify, foreign operators must:

Affiliate with a licensed Maldivian tour operator, and
Operate under new terms approved by the Government.

Both parties must follow compliance guidelines set by the authorities, ensuring that service delivery, guest handling, payments, and liability standards meet Maldives regulations.

3. Mandatory Licensing for All Tour Guides

Under the new amendments, all tour guides, both foreign and local, must hold a Tour Guide License issued under special conditions outlined by law.The detailed licensing framework will be announced separately by the Ministry.