News Desk
The Maldives has concluded its official destination showcase at Routes Asia 2026 in Xi’an, marking a significant step in aligning the country’s aviation and tourism strategies. The event, one of Asia’s most influential route development forums, brought together airlines, airports, tourism authorities and global industry leaders to shape future connectivity across the region.
Officials said the Maldives’ participation underscored the need for the country to be present where future aviation and tourism opportunities are formed. The debut followed the government’s recent restructuring, which created the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, bringing two key sectors under one portfolio.
With a new passenger terminal, expanding airport capacity and a growing network of domestic and international airports, authorities said the Maldives is entering a new phase of opportunity. Stronger air links remain essential to increase visitor arrivals, diversify markets and attract long term investment.
The Maldives’ presence at Routes Asia was strengthened by the attendance of Dr Fazeel Najeeb, Ambassador of the Maldives to China, who joined the welcome reception and visited the Maldives stand on the opening day. His participation added diplomatic weight and supported engagement with airline and industry partners.
During the three day event, the Maldives delegation held meetings with several international carriers, including Riyadh Air, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific and leading Chinese airlines. Many expressed interest in exploring future connectivity with the Maldives. Discussions were also held with Chinese investors on airport development, hotel projects and resort investments.
Officials said the Maldives positioned itself as a premium island destination, a fast growing aviation market in the Indian Ocean and a country ready for new airline routes and infrastructure investment. The delegation also took part in media interviews, business networking sessions and keynote forums on the future of aviation in Asia.
Following the success in Xi’an, the International Halal Tourism Organisation announced that the Maldives will return to Routes Asia 2027 in India with a larger and more prominent Maldives Pavilion. The expanded presence will coincide with Visit Maldives Year 2027, which officials said will be a key moment to build momentum, secure airline partnerships and strengthen the country’s brand across major markets.
IHTO said it will work closely with the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Visit Maldives, the national airline, airport operators and tourism partners to deliver a unified national showcase. In a statement, the organisation said the first time participation provided valuable market intelligence and strengthened the Maldives’ visibility among global aviation stakeholders. It said preparations are already underway for an even stronger presence in 2027.
Ali Nahiz, COO of Manhattan Grand Hotel, the official stand partner for Routes Asia 2026, said the event enabled direct engagement with airlines already operating to the Maldives, as well as potential carriers currently in discussions with Maldives Airports Company Limited. He highlighted growing opportunities in regional workforce travel from the Philippines and Indonesia, which he said offers airlines a consistent base of demand.
Mohamed Shaffah, General Manager of Maldivian Airlines, said having a dedicated destination stand marked a notable improvement from previous years. He said it provided a visible anchor point for structured engagement on new routes, ICT solutions and aircraft leasing, while reinforcing a unified national presence.
Officials said Routes Asia 2026 was more than an exhibition appearance, describing it as a turning point for the Maldives’ aviation diplomacy. With Visit Maldives Year 2027 approaching, preparations for the Maldives Pavilion are already underway, with organisers promising a larger and more impactful showcase next year.
With input from Ali Nahiz at Routes Asia 2026 in Xi’an.
