Maldives government has signed an agreement to add another charter flight to China in a bid to boost tourist arrivals from a key market for the luxury island destination.
The agreement was reportedly signed between top tourism industry officials from bothe countries during the ‘Forum for Cooperation on Tourism between China and Maldives’ held in Kurumba Island Resort on Tuesday evening.
AVAS understands that the new charter flight would commence operations to the Maldives next year.
In addition, an agreement to conduct specially designed tourism promotion activities in China was also signed between Chinese officials and Maldives Association for Tourism Industries (MATI).
Speaking to state media over the agreements, MATI's secretary general Ahmed Nazeer said both sides had agreed a collaboration to inform potential tourists on an array of areas including weather, opportunities and safety.
China remains a top tourist market for the Maldives despite a steady decline since 2015. After rapid growth from 2010, Chinese arrivals peaked in 2014 with about 364,000 visitors.
According to tourism statistics, 104,599 holidaymakers from China have arrived in Maldives so far this year.
