Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer has assured direct air link between Maldives and China will be established before year end.
Major activities have commenced in the bid to attract more tourists from China and other countries in the region, Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer said in an interview with Xinhua News of China. The tourism minister stated discussions with the government of China were initiated to establish direct flights to Maldives realising the challenges faced to tourists.
In his interview with Xinhua News, Minister Zameer highlighted the need for the expansion of Velana International Airport. Furthermore, the tourism minister noted relations between the two countries have enhanced over the years. In this regard, the minister highlighted the success of the China Maldives Friendship Bridge.
China is one major tourism market for Maldives. 726,000 tourists had visited Maldives by June this year, recording a 10.5% growth compared to the same period last year, according to statistics. Statistics reveals 127,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year.