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Maldives remains as the safest destination for tourists: Economic Minister

Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail has stated the Maldives remains as the safest destination for tourists, noting every effort possible will be initiated to promote the country as a safe tourist destination.

On July 15, the Maldives reopened its international borders which were closed since March 27 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking to the media after the ceremony held to reopen the international borders of the Maldives, Minister Fayyaz Ismail acknowledged another milestone achievement in the tourism sector of the Maldives. Fayyaz, who is also the acting Minister of Tourism, reiterated the Maldives is the safest destination for the tourists to travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic, adding the demand to travel to the Maldives is evident from numerous surveys done globally. He said the number of tourist arrivals will depend on the situation and the containment of COVID-19 in the Maldives.

Furthermore, Minister Fayyaz stated the reopening of the borders will give life to the economy and improve the financial status of the country. He highlighted the borders can only remain opene and operative as long as the preventive measures are implemented and the guidelines set by the Ministry of Tourism and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are strictly followed.

Since March 27, the Maldives has experienced zero tourist arrivals for the first time in 47 years.