Visit Maldives Year 2027 launches in London with 'Celebrate the Sunny Side' theme
Visit Maldives Year 2027, themed "Celebrate the Sunny Side", was launched at WTM London, Visit Maldives Corporation said on 3 November 2026, opening a year-long campaign to draw visitors.
The Maldives has launched its Visit Maldives Year 2027 campaign, themed "Celebrate the Sunny Side", at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) announced on 3 November 2026.
VMC presented the launch as the opening of an invitation to travellers that will run throughout 2027.
A year declared by the President
The designation comes from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who announced it in his 2026 Presidential Address at the opening of the People's Majlis. According to VMC, the programme unites tourism businesses, island communities and partners overseas, with activities planned across:
- celebrations at resorts
- festivals on local islands
- cultural experiences
- culinary events
- wellness, adventure and marine activities
Press conference and panel
Abdulla Yasir, VMC's CEO and Managing Director, presented the campaign at a press conference titled "Celebrate the Sunny Side – An Invitation to the World". Those present included Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, senior government officials, industry leaders and international media.
Ameen described the year as a joint national effort that would unite Maldivians and the whole tourism sector in presenting the best the country has to offer.
The conference was followed by a leadership panel featuring Ameen; Hussain Afeef, Chairman of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI); Abdulla Giyas Riyaz, chairperson of the VMC board; and Ibrahim Siyad Qasim, CEO of Villa Resorts.
Arrivals so far in 2026
Citing figures from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, VMC said:
- 1,762,751 tourists visited between January and October 2026
- 56.9% of arrivals came from Europe
- China led individual markets with 331,817 visitors, ahead of Russia (256,822) and the United Kingdom (135,897)
Delegation at ExCeL
WTM London runs from 3 to 5 November at ExCeL London. The Maldives delegation numbers 161 representatives, 136 of them participants from 62 tourism companies. The 2027 edition of the Visit Maldives Destination Guide was also released at the fair.
VMC said it plans to use the exhibition to meet tour operators, airlines, online travel platforms and media, with talks on joint marketing and partnerships intended to lift arrivals in 2027.