The Maldives Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed, has confirmed the tourist visitor target remains unchanged.
He spoke in this regard, answering to a query from local media during the press briefing held on Thursday afternoon, 06 February 2020.
Minister Waheed noted the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, China that has since spread across several countries – with multiple reports of new cases coming in everyday – stating, the viral outbreak will have visible effects on Maldives economy.
However, the Minister of Tourism assured the island nation will continue to thrive in efforts to provide the luxurious stays which the world across visit to experience from the Maldives.
Furthermore, Minister Waheed highlighted the country’s main air gateway – Velana International Airport (VIA) – has been improved with double screening layers, both at the arrival gates of international terminal and the domestic terminal.
The thermal cameras utilized with the help of foreign professionals, have been properly calibrated and tested to ensure the visitor screenings are accurate.
In 2019, Maldives Ministry of Tourism confirmed the island nation had a total of over 1.7 million visitors. In light of the viral outbreak that has been affecting several tourist destinations globally, many are skeptical about the after effects of this.
Minister Waheed mentioned the tourist target for 2020 remains to attract over 1.7 million tourists, and by the end of the following year the country aims to increase visitors by 2.1 million.