Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has stated the free trade agreement (FTA) between Maldives and China will result in the increase of direct flights from China leading to a boost of Chinese tourist market in Maldives.
MATATO believes the FTA "will not affect local travel agents negatively and will not allow Chinese firms to operate travel agencies in the Maldives."
"Chinese businesses will be subject to existing domestic policies and foreign investment policies which doesn't allow this," said in MATATO's press release and they had expressed gratitude over the positive attitude by Economic Ministry towards local businesses.
The travel agents representative association also noted the advantages of direct flights with China through FTA - "will enable to other cities which Maldives doesn't already have access," adding that this will act as a probable situation for local travel agent to setup travel agencies across various cities in China.
The FTA permits Maldivian travel agents to setup shop at three prominent cities of China; which includes Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin where these local companies will be directly dealing with tourists in their travel arrangements to Maldives.
MATATO also noted that "Maldives ranks amongst the most favored holiday destinations for Chinese travelrs, and have been the leading source market for Maldives last seven years," and stated that China still remains as the biggest source market to Maldives with future projections indicating growth in tourist numbers.
