Diving schools have emerged as the fastest-growing segment of the Maldivian tourism industry, according to the latest first-quarter report released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).
The report states that the tourism sector generated USD 447 million in output tax during the first quarter of the year, reflecting a 20.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when USD 371 million was recorded.
Among all tourism-related businesses, diving schools recorded the strongest growth. Revenue from the sector increased to USD 32.03 million during the quarter, up from USD 21.68 million in the corresponding period of the previous year. The growth reflects the rising popularity of diving experiences among visitors to the Maldives.
Water sports centres also recorded strong growth during the quarter, with revenue increasing from USD 8.2 million to USD 12.37 million. Guesthouses operating as homestays likewise posted notable growth, although they continue to account for a relatively small share of the overall tourism market.
Resorts, which remain the backbone of the country’s tourism industry, also recorded steady growth and continued to contribute the largest share of tourism revenue.
MIRA attributed the overall expansion of the tourism sector to the continued increase in visitor arrivals during the reporting period, which covered December 2025 to February 2026. Tourist arrivals increased by 11.6 percent compared to the same period a year earlier, contributing to growth across multiple segments of the industry.
