Maldives Association of Yacht Agents (MAYA) has stated that the new regulations have provided a temporary solution to bring cruise lines and yachts to the Maldives.
MAYA has expressed concern about the imposition of GST on individual rooms of cruise lines under the regulations governing the movement and berthing of tourist vessels coming from abroad created by the previous administration.
As a result, cruise liners have started to move to other countries instead of the Maldives, the agency said.
Following Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal's commitment to finding a solution, the ministry issued new regulations mandating approval from passenger liners for vessels staying less than seven days.
Key provisions include a USD 1,000 fee for cruise permits from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) for vessels exceeding 20 meters, no fee for vehicles under 20 meters, and a daily USD 850 fee for all vehicles from passenger liners.
An official from MAYA said that the ministry had been very supportive in addressing these issues.
According to the regulations at the time, three cruise lines destined for Malé City, including Uligan and Addu, had to be diverted to Seychelles, he said. This not only resulted in financial losses but also impacted the perception of tourism in the country, he added.
Although the new rules facilitate the arrival of a Costa cruise ship on January 8, MAYA emphasizes the need for comprehensive regulations to enhance revenue inflow.
"Under the new regulation, cruise lines only have to pay USD 850. However, for instance, if a vessel arrives with about 2,000 passengers and charges USD 10 or USD 5 per head, the state will generate a significant daily revenue," he said.
He said that small businesses, such as restaurants and souvenir shops, earn a good income by supplying goods to passenger liners.
Therefore, ways should be found to further expand this type of tourism, he said.
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