Russian tourism industry challenges Maldives margin tax as unenforceable

The Russian Union of Tourism Industry (RST) has declared the Maldives' 17% GST on tour sales margins unenforceable for Russian operators and agents, and has asked the Russian embassy and Ministry of Economic Development to lobby for an exemption or suspension. The dispute introduces regulatory friction in bilateral tourism trade, with potential implications for Russian outbound travel flows to the Maldives.