Male, Maldives (CU)_ Maldives has recorded 147,744 tourist arrivals from the start of the year till February 17th. Hence, the island is now recovering its tourism sector. As the island’s economy solely depends on tourism, the government has taken necessary measures to boost its tourism sector even during the pandemic. In January last year, the destination reported 177,140 visitors.
Currently, Russia and India are the top source market for tourist arrivals. France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Romania, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States are the other top markets for tourists.
Maldives started its Covid-19 vaccine roll out this month. The President, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and the first lady, Fazna Ahmed, along with other government officials received the first doses of the vaccine. Maldives had vaccinated 20,161 people in the islands until February 10. An initiative to vaccinate employees in the tourism sector was also enforced by the Ministry of Tourism to create a safer scenario for the industry.
More than 140 resorts and over 330 guesthouses are currently in service in the Maldives, along with over 135 vessels and 11 hotels. At present, 27 airlines are operating between the Maldives and the rest of the world. Although there are no compulsory quarantine rules for the visitors to the islands, all tourists are asked to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken 96 hours prior to the trip and also expected to complete an online health declaration form within 24 hours prior to travel.
