With the airspace across much of the Middle East closed off due to escalating tensions in the region, 35 percent of booked tourists may not arrive in the Maldives, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim said today.
In a press briefing held at the President's Office, Minister Thoriq said that a significant share of tourists travelling to the Maldives transit through Middle Eastern hubs, and assured that the ministry is closely monitoring developments in the region.
Since yesterday, approximately 20 flights have been cancelled, affecting about 1,900 tourists, the minister said.
As an immediate step, the government is working on increasing flights from Asia and exploring avenues of securing additional markets where tourists from Asian regions will visit the Maldives, he added.
"If we facilitate tourist arrivals straight from Russia, that will be an added convenience for those coming here. We are undertaking efforts to do so, deliberating within the industry as well," the minister said.
The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global air travel. While Maldives' economy is heavily dependent on tourism, visitors from Europe and America transit at Dubai and Doha on their travel to Maldives.
