New hope, Maldivian tourism doing better than expected

The Maldivian tourism industry is doing better than expected, Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has stated.  

The Minister said that 2021 could be a year of high hopes for the industry in an interview with CNBC. During the interview, the Minister spoke on the challenges posed and the stagnation of the industry due to COVID-19.

He also noted that the arrival numbers of tourists to the Maldives were also increasing before stating that the number of Russian tourist arrivals to the Maldives were also on the rise. 

The Minister also said that the vaccination programs all over the world would lead to even further easements introduced to the tourism industry. Currently, tourist arrivals to the Maldives are required to present a negative 96-hour PCR test. 

Minister Mausoom said that new properties to be opened in the Maldives this year, could open up next year. The Minister was also hopeful of new investments to come in 2021. 

The government has a target of bringing 500,000 tourists to the Maldives. The government is targeting to bring in 1.5 million tourists next year.