A Conversation with Mohamed Firaq, Founder & CEO, Inner Maldives Holidays
By Tourism Maldives
In the world of Maldivian tourism, where stories of determination and quiet resilience shape the country’s global identity, few names stand as firmly as that of Mohamed Firaq. Founder and CEO of Inner Maldives Holidays, a pioneering inbound tour operator, and Honorary Consul of Seychelles to the Maldives for over a decade, Firaq’s journey is one of relentless ambition, humility, and an enduring belief in people.
On a late afternoon in Malé, we sat down with him at his office-calm, composed, and characteristically warm-to speak about the life he built, the industry he shaped, and the future he continues to dream for the Maldivian tourism sector.
The Early Spark
“My journey began at the airport,” Firaq says with a thoughtful smile. “Not in a boardroom or a resort lobby-just me, waiting to welcome guests, learning how people travel, why they travel, and what touches them.”
Fresh out of school in Majeedhiyaa in the early 1980s, tourism wasn’t yet the celebrated industry it is today. But the young Firaq noticed the flow of visitors and the bustle of tourism operations around Malé. He began with humble roles in retail, tourist shops, and as a guide-absorbing every detail of the growing tourism ecosystem.
His big turning points came with placements at Sun Travels, Rover Tours, and later Crossworld Maldives, where he learned the backbone of travel operations and forged lifelong industry relationships.
“When Crossworld Maldives shut down, many people-especially senior pioneers-encouraged me to start something of my own,” he recalls. “They saw something in me. And that belief is what built Inner Maldives.”
Founding Inner Maldives: A Leap of Faith
Inner Maldives began not in a furnished office, but in his own bedroom.
“We didn’t have the technology or convenience of today. No booking engines. No online systems. I used a telephone, a fax machine, and pure determination,” he says, laughing softly.
He personally met clients at the airport, negotiated with resorts, handled invoices, built contracts -and often worked 16-18 hour days. Financial challenges were constant, especially in a banking environment that offered little support to local travel agencies.
“Sometimes we had to mortgage property just to make advance payments to resorts,” he says. “But giving up was never an option. Not when you believe in the future.”
People Come First
When asked what makes Inner Maldives one of the most trusted travel operators in the country, he answers without hesitation: “My team. They are not just employees; they are family.”
Many staff members have been with Inner Maldives for over 12 to 14 years, growing with the company. He speaks of flexible policies, emotional support, open communication, and sharing responsibility -an inclusive leadership style rare in fast-growing businesses.
“A company only succeeds when people inside it feel valued. Respect runs deeper than any incentive.”
Navigating Change and Competition
The tourism industry is evolving rapidly -with digital transformation, shifting traveller expectations, and new global competition. Firaq is candid about the challenges:
“We research constantly. Markets change, traveler preferences change, global economies shift. What keeps us ahead is adaptability.”
Inner Maldives survived downturns -from tsunamis to the COVID-19 pandemic -by managing costs wisely, strengthening partnerships, and maintaining trust.
“Money that comes into a travel business is not yours -it is a responsibility. You are a bridge between guest and resort. That is the discipline newcomers must learn.”
Championing Southern Maldives
Among his most passionate efforts is developing tourism connectivity to the southern atolls, particularly Addu. “Southern Maldives deserves recognition. It has beauty, culture, and untouched experiences,” he says.
Through Ace Travels, Inner Maldives pioneered direct flights connecting Colombo to Gan, supporting southern resorts and boosting regional tourist arrivals. With new partnerships, including flydubai and plans for Maafaru connectivity, he remains committed.
“Tourists cannot arrive where there is no convenient way to reach. Connectivity is not luxury—it is necessity.”
Vision for the Next Generation
Today, Inner Maldives is more than a tour operator. The group includes Ace Travels (Travel & ticketing), Ace Aviation (General Sales Agent Operations) and Spence Maldives (Cargo & logistics)
And through the years, it has handled everything from charter flights to private jet movements to globally recognized outbound travel packages.But at the heart of Firaq’s future is succession.
“We built this company without large investors or resort ownership. That is something I am proud of. In the next five years, I hope my children and the younger team will carry it forward with fresh vision and strong values.”
His Advice to the Next Wave of Tourism Entrepreneurs
“Be loyal. Be disciplined. Know your focus -and stand by it. Your name is your biggest asset. Build it with honesty.”
Closing Thoughts
As the conversation ends, the sun dips over Malé’s horizon -fishing boats returning, seaplanes landing, life unfolding with its familiar rhythm. In that moment, the essence of Firaq’s story becomes clear:
Tourism, at its core, is about people, Relationships, Trust, The courage to start small and the patience to grow slowly. Inner Maldives is not just a company-it is a legacy of belief, built one traveller, one partnership, one flight connection at a time. And in the vast blue world of the Maldives, such legacies float far, and last long.
