MATATO estimates 29.5% decline in Maldives' tourism over COVID-19

Maldives' tourism industry is expected to see a negative growth of 29.5 percent if the number of tourist arrivals continues to dwindle amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) said on Tuesday.

In a press release, MATATO noted that several bookings were cancelled over the past 48 hours, while new bookings have seen a sharp drop as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the current rate, the industry is expected to lose a daily average of 1,376 bookings, averaging a monthly loss of 41,289 tourist arrivals.