Resorts that used to be fully-booked for the Christmas and New Year holidays by November have reported a slight drop in tourist arrivals this year, compared to that of previous years. Resorts and travel agencies have reported drops tourist arrivals specifically from Russia. Mohamed Haleel, Managing Director of Reollo Travel - a company which brings in tourists from Eastern Europe, Middle East and China - informed Haveeru that the huge drop in value of Russian currency Ruble had, had a drastic impact on Maldivian tourism industry. He said that even though November and December were the most profitable time of the year, the occupancy rates at Maldivian resorts showed a decrease when compared to previous years. Resorts that usually boasted full-occupancy are not fully booked, this year round, said the MD. “It has dropped to an unexpected level, especially the Russian market. It is seen to have had an impact on occupancy. I expect the Russian market to drop by about 10 percent,” he said. E-Commerce Manager of Olhuveli Beach and Spa Resort - run by Sun Hotels and Resort, Abdulla Shareef, said that the resort’s occupancy now stood at 72 percent. He said that it was the lowest occupancy rate had gone down the past five years, at a resort that usually boasted 90-100 percent occupancy rate. “Based on the occupancy rate, the Russians stand at about 11 percent. This is a very low number. The changes in Russian market come at a time when clients have expressed their concern; with the increase in GST and stuff, they say they can no longer afford to come to Maldives. The market seems to be very unstable. It has had its impact on occupancy,” he said. Sales and Reservations Director at Zeldiva Travels, Aishath Visha said that though large numbers of tourists had made last-minute bookings in the past years, the number too, had dropped this year. She said that the number of bookings made via the agency to large Maldivian resorts had been showing a “significant drop” starting September of this year. Dr Abdulla Mausoom, General Manager of Sun Island – the country’s largest resort – said that though the resort currently had full-occupancy, there had been a drastic drop in number of Russian tourists. He said that the number of Russian tourists who usually visit the resort had dropped by 30 percent. “[Russian] market was very low in late November and early December. Though it has been a bit better, the market hasn’t altogether picked up, with the economic issues in Russia. The occupancy was improved by attracting tourists from other markets, via a special program conducted by Villa Marketing,” said the former People’s Majlis representative for Kelaa. -Testy time ahead for Maldivian tourism industry- Maldivian Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb, in a press conference held on Monday, said that the fall in Russian currency Ruble and the Ukraine Crisis had led to a drop in tourist arrivals from Russia; but that bookings were “alright for the moment” and that the government would be able to achieve its target of 1.2 million tourist arrivals by end of 2014. “While some markets such as Russia and some European countries show a drop, other markets show very good improvement. For example Latin American countries, former Soviet Union countries, Middle Eastern countries – they are all noteworthy. But we mustn’t take anything for granted. The international arena is heating up,” he said. The minister noted that the country had a testy time ahead, and that additional effort was needed to overcome the challenges, change the country’s reputation in the international community, and expand Maldivian tourism into additional markets. As occupancy rates in Maldivian resorts show a drop in Russian tourist arrivals, Russia falls further into economic turmoil as the drop in oil prices and economic sanctions against the country by United States and European Union pushes the Russian currency further down – an indication that Russian tourist arrivals may decrease further.