Viral Video Claims Maldives Tourism Down By 90% Amid Iran War. What Official Data Says

A recent Instagram video has gone viral on the internet, claiming that Maldives tourism has dropped by 90% amid the ongoing Middle East war. The reel, posted by Swedish travel influencer Filippa, shows her speaking with a local resident on Dhiffushi, a tranquil local island in the Maldives. In the clip, the resident remarks that "tourism has dropped by 90% and usually it's full with people on the island this time of year because it's peak high season, but there's hardly any tourists around," Filippa wrote in the caption.

Posted around two weeks ago, the video has gathered close to 2.8 million views, fuelling widespread speculation about whether the Indian Ocean nation is experiencing a major tourism crisis. But how accurate is the claim?

Why The Maldives Is Seen As Vulnerable To Conflict

The Maldives relies heavily on international tourism, and its connectivity is deeply linked to global aviation routes. While travellers from several major Asian cities have direct flight options, most visitors from long-haul markets such as the United States, Europe, South America and Australia transit through major hubs including Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Singapore or Colombo.

With airspace disruptions and flight rerouting caused by the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, travel sentiment has undoubtedly been affected, particularly among long-haul visitors. However, the claim that the Maldives is 90% empty may not be entirely true.

Also Read: Maldives Wants More Indian Tourists, Plans To Start More Direct Flights

What Maldives Official Tourism Data Shows

According to official tourism updates, the Maldives recorded 653,513 visitor arrivals as of April 1, 2026. This represents a 0.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025 - a figure that contradicts claims of a dramatic collapse in tourism.

Current key source markets include China, accounting for 14.9 per cent of arrivals, followed by Russia (12.5 per cent), the United Kingdom (9.7 per cent), Italy (9 per cent), Germany (6.9 per cent) and India (4.2 per cent).

A Closer Look At 2025 vs 2026 Monthly Trends

A more detailed comparison between 2025 and 2026 does reveal some short-term fluctuation. Tourist arrivals in January and February 2026 were higher than in the same months last year. However, March recorded a decline of approximately 20.7% year-on-year.

This dip is widely believed to be linked to heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerns around flight safety and route accessibility. That said, a 20% fall is considerably different from the 90% decline suggested in the viral video.

Flights Maintain Connectivity To Maldives

Despite ongoing aviation challenges across the Middle East, airlines have continued to adapt. Several international carriers have increased or adjusted services to the Maldives in recent months to maintain connectivity.

British Airways and Edelweiss Air have expanded flight frequencies, while Air India and Aeroflot have added extra services using alternative routes. According to Maldives Airports Company Limited and Visit Maldives, these measures reflect sustained efforts to ensure access to the destination despite global disruptions.

Maldivian Government's Response To Impact On Tourism

On March 22, 2026, the Maldives' Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim, acknowledged a slowdown in visitor arrivals linked to the Middle East situation. Speaking at a press briefing, he noted that roughly 30% of visitors to the Maldives travel via airlines based in the region.

The minister confirmed that the government is working closely with airline operators and tourism stakeholders to explore alternative transit routes and stabilise arrival numbers.

Plans To Boost Long-Term Stays And Introduce 2 New Visas

Minister Thoriq stated that officials are considering ways to increase the average length of stay for visitors. Currently, tourists receive a 30-day visa on arrival, but measures are being discussed to simplify extensions for travellers wishing to stay longer.

Among the proposals under consideration are the introduction of a Remote Worker Visa and a Content Creator Visa, aimed at attracting digital nomads and creators who could help sustain guesthouse occupancy, particularly on local islands.

Additional initiatives include regulating and promoting sports fishing and big-game fishing, expanding technical and recreational diving opportunities, and improving facilities for superyachts and liveaboard vessels. The government is also exploring growth in halal tourism, as well as education- and research-led travel.

While tourism in the Maldives may have dipped due to the ongoing Middle East war, official numbers suggest it has not collapsed, as claimed in the viral video.