The Maldives Eases Travel Restrictions

The Maldives has eased travel restrictions within the country and for visitors to the tropical holiday destination. Upon receiving the second dose of the COVD-19 vaccine, Maldivians can travel without quarantine.

With the eased restrictions, visitors to the Maldives would no longer be required to submit a PCR test if they received their COVD-19 vaccine 2 weeks earlier. Furthermore, holidaymakers will need to provide proof that they’ve received vaccination with an approved vaccine.

Effective from 20th April, travellers who got their final dose of the vaccine can submit the certificate via the IMUGA platform (imuga.immigration.gov.mv) before travel.

Additionally, the Tourism Minister of the Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom revealed that the Maldives will launch a ‘visit, vaccinate, vacation’ initiative. Speaking on CNBC International, Minister Mausoom reiterated that the Maldives aims to welcome 1.5 million tourist arrivals in 2021.

As per the latest statistics from the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, the island nation welcomed 353,789 tourist arrivals in 2021 by 17th April 2021. 55,219 tourists arrived in the Maldives between 1st April and 17th April 2021 as well.

Also read: The Maldives Records over 5,200 Tourist Arrivals in a Single Day

In March 2021, 109,585 tourists spent their vacation in the island nation; the highest number of arrivals in a single month since the country reopened its borders in July 2020.

1,030 tourist accommodation facilities are active in the Maldives. This includes; 160 resorts/marinas, 698 guesthouses, 159 safari vessels and 13 hotels.

India continues to dominate the charts as the biggest contributor in terms of tourist arrivals. Thanks to the close distance between the Maldives and India, Bollywood celebrities are holidaying in the island nation. Furthermore, reports surfaced on media reveals that Sara Ali Khan, Tiger Shroff and Disha Pataini have been spotted at the airport this Sunday while jetting off to the Maldives.

The Tourism Ministry of Maldives predicts tourists will spend over 10 million bed nights in the Maldives this year.

Feature image by W Maldives

Velana Airport has announced the first-ever sea-to-air cargo transshipment along with Turkish Airlines, Maldives Ports Limited and Maldives Customs Service. This major step in cargo transhipment in the Maldives was celebrated on the 17th of May at the airport.

The MoU for the ‘Sea to Air’ cargo transshipment services were signed earlier this year, on March 30th. With this, Turkish Airlines became the cargo partner to facilitate the service along with the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).

With the transshipment service, MPL can easily transport goods through both seas as well as air travel. In addition to catering to the needs of businesses and industries in the region, this will also help expedite the carrying of goods from one place to another. According to the Turkish Airlines’ Regional Cargo Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives Bilal Okur, this will help the airline’s target to develop the Maldives into a sea-to-air transshipment hub.

This innovative logistics solution is expected to significantly boost the efficiency of cargo movement. Additionally, this may also see the enhancement of trade opportunities for the Maldives.

The Maldives Eases Travel Restrictions

Also read: The Maldives Records over 5,200 Tourist Arrivals in a Single Day

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