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Over 37,000 tourists visit Maldives since border reopening

Ahmed Aiham
30 October 2020, MVT 21:56
MALDIVES BORDER OPENING / COVID-19 / AIRPORT/ TOURIST/ TOURISM / MACL / VELANA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Ahmed Aiham
30 October 2020, MVT 21:56

Ministry of Tourism, on Thursday, revealed that a total of 37,468 tourists arrived in Maldives between July 15 and October 28, after the country reopened borders.

According to the ministry statistics, a total of 382,667 tourists visited the country during the period, raising the total tally to 420,315.

During the period, the highest number of tourists arrived from Russia and the United Arab Emirates, with records of 7,507 and 3,479 arrivals respectively.

The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany are also ranked on the list of top arrivals.

Maldives reopened its borders to international passengers on July 15, after nearly four months since the state halted issuing on-arrival visas on March 27. Guesthouses were permitted to resume operations and kick start local tourism on October 15.

Despite the lifting of restrictions, Maldives has noted a significant reduction in tourist arrivals compared to pre-COVID figures.

Minister of Toursim Dr Abdulla Mausoom had earlier expressed hopes for the industry's recovery, estimating that 100,000 tourists would visit Maldives before the end of 2020.

In order to reach the estimated total of 500,000 arrivals for the year, Maldives requires an additional 79, 685 tourist arrivals.

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