MALE, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Diving schools recorded the fastest growth within the Maldives' tourism sector, with revenue rising by 47.7 percent in the latest reporting period, PSM News, state media of the Maldives, reported on Saturday, citing data from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority.
The broader tourism sector generated 447 million U.S. dollars in output tax during the reporting period from December 2025 to February 2026, up 20.5 percent from 371 million dollars in the corresponding period a year earlier, PSM News said.
Revenue from diving schools rose to 32.03 million dollars from 21.68 million dollars a year earlier, making them the fastest-growing segment in the industry, the report said.
Other marine recreation businesses also posted strong growth. Revenue from water sports centers increased by 49.2 percent to 12.37 million dollars from 8.2 million dollars, while homestay guesthouses recorded 60.8 percent growth, although their contribution to the wider tourism market remained relatively small.
Resorts, which still account for the largest share of tourism revenue in the Maldives, posted a revenue increase of 21 percent.
PSM News said the growth came as total tourist arrivals to the Maldives rose by 11.6 percent during the reporting period. ■