Diving school revenue is the fastest-growing tourism segment in MIRA's Q1 2026 data

Diving schools recorded the fastest growth of any tourism category in the first quarter of 2026, according to figures in the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) quarterly report.

Reported total sales from diving schools, including output tax, rose 47.7 percent compared with the same quarter last year, reaching USD 32.03 million, up from USD 21.68 million in the first quarter of 2025.

Goods and Services Tax reported from diving schools grew 39.5 percent to USD 269.26 million, from USD 192.98 million a year earlier.

Both growth rates outpaced the tourism sector as a whole. Total reported sales across all tourism categories rose 20.5 percent, while total reported tourism GST rose 13.7 percent over the same period.

The figures cover the taxable period of December 2025 to February 2026.

Diving schools were not the only water-based category to post strong growth. Water sports facilities recorded a 49.2 percent rise in reported sales to USD 12.37 million, and reported GST from that category rose 37.7 percent. Home stay guest houses showed the highest percentage growth in reported sales at 60.8 percent, though from a very small base of USD 23,017.

Larger categories grew more modestly. Reported sales from tourist resorts, which account for the bulk of tourism revenue, rose 21.0 percent. Tourist hotel sales rose 26.9 percent.

MIRA linked overall tourism growth in the quarter to an 11.6 percent rise in tourist arrivals during the taxable period compared with the same quarter in 2025.

The report does not state the reasons behind the specific increase in diving school revenue. It also does not indicate whether the growth reflects higher diving activity, price changes, an increase in the number of registered diving operators, or improved tax compliance within the category.

MIRA's registration figures for the quarter do not separate diving schools as a standalone category. Diving school registration fees are grouped under the broader Business Permits line in the report's detailed revenue tables.