Russian tour operators have reported problems with payments for hotel accommodation in the Maldives, with the first cases recorded on October 18, 2026. According to the Russian Union of Travel Industry, the value of delayed or returned transactions reached approximately two million US dollars by early November. Some payments were returned even when sent by legal entities registered outside Russia.
The Russian Union of Travel Industry contacted the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and the Russian embassy for the Maldives, requesting consultations. Interfax reported on November 9 that the Russian ministry contacted the Maldivian Ministry of Tourism and the Maldivian embassy in Russia, and talks between the central banks of the two countries were announced. The aim is to determine why transfers fail and whether a more reliable payment model can be established.
Bank of Maldives denied introducing a general ban on transactions from Russia, stating it had not changed its policy. However, the bank noted that foreign currency transactions, especially in US dollars, are processed through international correspondent banks that apply their own sanctions and compliance policies. A single payment may pass through several financial institutions, each applying its own risk controls.
For travelers, a returned transfer may leave the hotel without payment, forcing guests to pay again or face check-in refusal. Dmitry Arutyunov of ART-TUR warned that a confirmed booking does not guarantee the transaction has cleared. In some cases, tour operators had to find alternative payment methods so guests could be accommodated, with the financial burden temporarily falling on businesses.
The Maldives is a key market for Russian tourists, with 256,822 Russian arrivals between January and October 2026, making Russia the second-largest source of international visitors. Prolonged payment disruptions could affect accommodation sales and partner confidence, though there are no indications of a general suspension of Russian tourist travel to the Maldives.
