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600,000 tourist arrivals expected in 2021 under worst-case scenario

A research conducted by the Maldives National University (MNU) has revealed over 600,000 tourist arrivals are expected in the Maldives in 2021 even under the worst-case scenario.

MNU conducted a research into the projected effects on the tourism industry of the Maldives in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was carried out with input from tourist facilities across the country.

The research report included projections for the worst case scenario, with consideration into the slow recovery of the main international markets for tourism in the Maldives. As such, the report stated at least 640,000 tourists are expected to arrive in the Maldives next year, even under the worst-case scenario. Most tourist arrivals are expected during January and February, with 173,347 arrivals and 149,788 arrivals projected for the two months respectively.

Furthermore, the research indicated some tourist markets, including China and the UK, are expected to recover slower than other markets due to the sudden shock on the markets. In this regard, such markets are projected to take two years to fully recover.

The report also included projections for the best case scenario, in which most tourist markets have recovered. As such, 1.2 million tourist arrivals are projected for 2021 under the best-case scenario.