The daily number of tourist arrivals in the Maldives has increased to 1000, the Tourim Minister has revealed.
Speaking to state media, PSM, Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom said the efforts undertaken to improve Maldives’ tourism has been successful since the country reopened its borders on July 15. He noted that the positive results of the efforts are becoming apparent. However, it will be more satisfactory if the number of tourists visiting the Maldives keeps increasing, said the minister.
The minister noted hat 12 airlines have resumed operation to the Maldives since border reopening, and said Maldives is now linked to the rest of the world despite having closed its borders earlier in March due to the global pandemic. Although 500,000 tourists were estimated to arrive after the borders reopened, the government had also hoped to increase daily arrivals to 1,000 within October. While the latter target has now been achieved, the government now hope to host 100,000 tourists between October and December 2020.
The minister also added that the tourism workers are bearing the brunt of the economic losses due to the pandemic, and said that efforts to re-hire those who became unemployed as a result of the pandemic are ongoing. The reopening of local guest houses, which brings in dollars directly into the pockets of the people, is an important development, said the minister. Although the situation in the Maldives has been improving since border reopening, the situation in several countries across the world still remains dire, said the minister.
Statistics released by the Tourism Ministry show 26,720 tourists visited the Maldives since the tourism-dependent archipelago since the borders reopened in July. 55 percent of the total guest beds available in the Maldives is now operational.
