The UK's two major travel agency consortia, The Travel Network Group and the Advantage Travel Partnership, have already warned the charges, which are due to take effect from 1 October, could make selling the destination "commercially unviable" for agents and other travel sellers, like tour operators.

Abta is seeking official confirmation any plans to enforce an amendment to the Maldives Goods and Services Tax Act will be postponed for at least six months to buy time for full consultation with the international travel industry.

Susan Deer, Abta's Director of Industry Relations, said: “We understand legislation to amend the Maldives Goods and Services Tax Act had been under consideration for some time, but was introduced without any consultation with international travel businesses.

"This failure to consult has resulted in legislation and guidance which is not fit for purpose."

She added: "We have written to the Maldives Tourism Minister on two separate occasions, which is why we are now escalating our concerns direct to the President of the Maldives."

On Monday (21 September), Advantage said the new tax rules could have "a significant impact" on agents and operators, while The Travel Network Group (TTNG) questioned whether businesses that "sell only a small number of Maldives holidays each year" would still consider it worth selling.

The Secretary General of European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Association, Erik Dresin, added: “European travel agents and tour operators have been long-standing partners in building the Maldives into a world-leading destination.

“However, extending domestic tax obligations extraterritorially with virtually no consultation or lead time severely disrupts established commercial operations. A suspension of enforcement and immediate, constructive dialogue are essential to ensure the rules are workable, legally robust, and fair to all partners involved."