President Muizzu Announces Exclusive Halal Tourism Zones

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced the government’s plan to designate several islands specifically for halal tourism, marking a new direction in the Maldives’ tourism strategy.

The announcement was made through a post on social media platform X on Friday. In his message, President Muizzu highlighted the Maldives’ reputation for sustainability, hospitality, and visitor experience, and said the country is now working to become a global leader in halal tourism.

He stated that the islands will be set aside exclusively for halal tourism development and will come with attractive incentives for investors. The move aims to diversify the Maldives’ tourism offerings while maintaining its global appeal.
President Muizzu added that further details will be shared by the Ministry of Tourism in the coming week. He reaffirmed the Maldives’ openness to foreign investment and encouraged global investors to take part in the country’s growing tourism sector.

The idea of promoting halal tourism has been discussed in earlier administrations and was also a topic during President Muizzu’s visit to Malaysia in April. An earlier plan to develop halal guesthouses through the Hajj Corporation in K. Maafushi was dropped following advice from the Finance Minister.

Tourism remains the backbone of the Maldivian economy, and this initiative represents a new step in expanding its reach and diversity.