Sunday, February 2, 2025 The Maldives government has taken a significant step toward integrating tourism development with environmental conservation by merging two key ministries. The newly established Ministry of Tourism and Environment combines the responsibilities of the former Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy with the Ministry of Tourism . This decision, initiated by President Dr.
Mohamed Muizzu in February 2025 , is expected to create a more streamlined approach to managing tourism growth while ensuring environmental sustainability . The decision comes at a time when the Maldives is grappling with the dual challenge of preserving its fragile ecosystem while maintaining its position as a world-renowned tourist destination . The move is seen as a proactive measure to harmonize environmental policies with the booming tourism sector , making it possible to develop eco-friendly resorts, protect marine biodiversity, and enforce climate policies that safeguard the islands from rising sea levels .
For a country that relies on tourism as its primary economic driver , aligning environmental conservation with tourism policies is both necessary and strategic. The Maldives’ tourism sector contributes the largest share of its GDP and foreign exchange earnings , while at the same time, its islands remain highly vulnerable to climate change . The new ministry is expected to ensure that tourism expansion does not come at the cost of environmental degradation , making.
