According to the evening’s hosts – the Visit Maldives Corporation and the Bank of Maldives – the strong momentum has continued into 2026, with the first two months already delivering unprecedented visitor numbers. The Bank of Maldives also introduced “Swipe”, a fully Maldivian-developed digital multi-currency wallet, marking a notable advance in the country’s fintech sector. The platform enables instant, secure payments and seamless international money transfers.
H.E. Aishath Shaan Shakir, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives, expressed her gratitude to the Visit Maldives Corporation for hosting the evening and “once again presenting the very best of the Maldives to the German market and the world.” The evening’s guest of honour was Hussain Afeef, widely regarded as the pioneer of tourism in the Maldives. His address was met with a standing ovation. The formal programme concluded with the announcement that 2027 will be celebrated as the “Visit Maldives Year”, coinciding with the Maldives’ designation as the official partner country of ITB 2027. Guests were then invited to enjoy an exceptionally diverse buffet, bringing the evening to a refined and convivial close.