Maldives Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has participated in the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)’s 6th Global Tourism Crisis Committee Meeting. According to a tweet by the Ministry of Tourism, discussions were focused on coordinated, resilient, and safer tourism. Furthermore, discussions also involved formulating and implementing a harmonized protocol for travel.
The Global Tourism Crisis Committee Meeting brings together key UN agencies, the chairs of its Executive Council and Regional Commissions, and private sector leaders. Tourism is the economic sector that has been hardest hit by COVID-19. Thus, the UNWTO-led Committee holds these regular virtual meetings.
According to the figures by the Ministry of Tourism, as of 14th October 2020, Maldives has recorded 26,720 tourist arrivals since the border reopening. In addition to that, Russia was the leading tourist source market with 4,817 tourist arrivals. Ministry predicts that with the resumption of guesthouses, tourist arrivals will further increase as well. For now, guesthouses outside the Greater Male’ Region are open for tourists.
This month, from 1st to 3rd October 2020, the island archipelago welcomed 1,817 tourists. While from 4th to 10th October, Maldives recorded 3,867 tourist arrivals. In addition to that, from 11th to 14th October, the country recorded 2,169 tourist arrivals with a daily average of 542 tourists.
Earlier, Tourism Minister, Mausoom has also revealed in a tweet that over 55% of tourist beds are now operational in the Maldives. And the country has extended the entrance PCR test validity period from 72 hours to 96 hours. This extension solves the inconvenience of weekend overlap for PCR test results. Thus, the extension is an advantage for those who have to take flights on weekends or a Monday.
Also read: Tourism Minister Delivers Opening Remarks at Travel Connect Webinar
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives have been gradually increasing since the border reopening on 15th July 2020. Maldives tourism ministry hopes to make the island archipelago a safe destination for travelers while keeping the momentum going.
