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Over 27,000 tourists visit Maldives since border reopening

Mariyam Malsa
21 October 2020, MVT 19:18
Tourist arriving in Maldives following the reopening of borders. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI/ MIHAARU
Mariyam Malsa
21 October 2020, MVT 19:18

Maldives Immigration, on Wednesday, revealed that a total of 27,217 tourists arrived in Maldives between July 15 and October 15, after the country reopened borders.

According to Immigration statistics, 8,350 holidaymakers visited Maldives within the first 15 days of October, representing a 56 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous month.

During the period, the highest number of tourists arrived from Russia and the United States, with records of 2,308 and 656 arrivals respectively.

Germany, the United Kingdom, India and France also ranked on Immigration's list of top arrivals.

The Ministry of Tourism previously revealed that the daily average number of visitors increased from 117 in July to 246 in August, 318 in September and 628 in October.

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.

All tourists entering Maldives are required to present a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 96 hours prior to arrival and are subjected to thermal screenings at the airport.

Despite the lifting of restrictions, Maldives has noted a significant reduction in tourist arrivals compared to pre-COVID figures. While a total of 382,760 tourists were recorded before Maldives closed borders in July, the daily average stood at 4,206 arrivals from January to March.

However, the Minister of Tourism earlier expressed hopes for the industry's recovery, estimating that 100,000 tourists would visit Maldives before the end of 2020.

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