Prior to COVID-19, China was one of the most important tourism markets for Maldives. However, due to the security measures to combat COVID-19 in China, their tourists have not visited Maldives in the past two years.
Speaking on PSM News’ “75 Degrees” programme, Chinese Ambassador to Maldives, Wang Lixin said Chinese tourists are eager to come to Maldives. The Ambassador expressed hope that flights between China and Maldives would resume soon as the preparations to begin direct flights are currently underway. She noted the situation in China has improved significantly.
The Ambassador further noted the on-arrival visa arrangement between Maldives and China is an imperative aspect in increasing the Chinese tourists arriving in Maldives, as flights between the two countries resume.
Earlier, Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Maumoon told PSM News that Chinese tourists are ‘waiting impatiently’ to visit Maldives. The Minister said he hope Chinese tourists would visit Maldives before the end of the Golden Year of tourism.
China was the largest tourist market in 2019 before the outbreak of the coronavirus. Statistics show that in 2019, 284,029 tourists visited Maldives from China.