News Desk
In a strategic move aimed at fortifying tourism ties, China has officially declared its decision to initiate charter flights to the Maldives, with the inaugural takeoff scheduled for the 14th of the upcoming month. This significant announcement comes on the heels of deliberations during the state visit of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to China. Wang Lixin, China’s Ambassador to the Maldives, made this revelation during a meeting with journalists in the Maldives.
Ambassador Lixin, echoing China’s unwavering commitment, outlined the nation’s vision to position the Maldives as a premier destination for Chinese tourists, propelling the Maldives’ tourism market to the forefront. The debut charter flight from Fujian, China, is set to embark on its journey on the aforementioned date. While charter flights will initially take the spotlight, the Ambassador hinted at the introduction of commercial flights, contingent on demand dynamics.
Post his state visit to China, President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu relayed the success of talks focused on amplifying the influx of Chinese tourists to the Maldives and facilitating additional flights. Crucial negotiations transpired to augment direct flight connectivity between the two nations. President Muizzu also revealed that China’s Xiamen Airlines is poised to commence flights to the Maldives come March of this year.
Before the disruptive waves of global travel restrictions, China held the distinguished position as the primary source of tourism for the Maldives. In 2019, a staggering 284,029 tourists from China graced the Maldivian shores. Despite the setback last year, which saw a reduction to 187,118 due to travel restrictions, the Ministry of Tourism is steadfast in its pursuit to double the number of Chinese tourists. This underscores the piotal importance of fortifying the tourism alliance between the Maldives and China.
