Maldives Immigration has revealed that a total of 13,516 tourists has arrived in the Maldives during the first 2 months of its international borders reopening, with a 61% increase in tourist arrivals during the second month.
From 16th August to 15th September, a total of 8,339 tourists arrived in the Maldives, whereas the previous month from 15th July to 15th August, recorded 5,177 tourist arrivals.
The top source market for the tourist arrival was United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 656 arrivals, followed by the Russian Federation with 539 tourist arrivals. The United States stood third with 502 tourist arrivals. Other top source markets of tourist arrivals include the United Kingdom, Spain, and Brazil with 341, 254, and 262 arrivals respectively.
A total of 13,516 tourists arrived to Maldives during the first two months, after the border reopened.
— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) September 20, 2020
Tourist arrivals increased by 61% during the second month.
Detailed statistics of September (1-15) arrivals: https://t.co/PJihJ2s3tm pic.twitter.com/Vy2iCtgrpz
According to air traffic movement statistics by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), a 69% increase is seen in international passenger arrivals in the second full month since border reopening. MACL recorded 9,241 international departures from July 15 to August 15, and 14,984 international departures from August 16 to September 15, resulting in a 62.15% increase. Furthermore, a total of 441 international air traffic movements were recorded from August 16 to September 15, a 5.25% improvement compared to the 419 international air traffic movements recorded from July 15 to August 15. The Velana International Airport is expected to see further growth in the months ahead as more airlines are resuming flight operations to the Maldives.
However domestic air traffic movements recorded a 14.36% decline with 3,576 domestic arrivals to Velana International Airport (VIA) from July 15 to August 15, and 3,469 domestic arrivals from August 16 to September 15, resulting in a 2.99% decline. The domestic departures recorded 4,323 flight movements from July 15 to August 15, and 3,471 domestic departures from August 16 to September 15, marking for a 19.71% decline.
Air Traffic Movements & Passenger Traffic @VelanaAirport since border re-open pic.twitter.com/5eS1fqziqg
— Maldives Airports Company Ltd - MACL (@MACLmedia) September 17, 2020
The Maldives reopened its international borders on July 15, 2020, and travelers get a free 30-day on arrival visa. Effective from 10th September 2020, the island nation has made it mandatory to present a certificate of the negative PCR test result for COVID-19 with the sample taken 72 hours prior to departure. Travelers must also have a prior confirmed booking in a registered tourist facility and submit the Traveler Health Declaration form online (IMUGA form), within 24hrs prior to your departure to the Maldives.
Furthermore, Maldives has also received The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)’s ‘Safe Travels Stamp’. The Safe Travel Stamp is the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp for Travel & Tourism. Furthermore, this stamp is designed to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks.
