Minister of Tourism Abdulla Mausoom has predicted that a higher number of tourists will arrive in the Maldives in this year's low season, compared to previous years.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Mausoom said the Maldives has become a top travel destination worldwide and a larger number of travellers who were prevented from visiting the country due to border closures are likely to visit during the low season. Minister Mausoom said the Maldives tour operators have begun receiving a high number of requests for bookings, after the United Kingdom announced plans to ease travel restrictions in June and July.
The tourism minister also said tourist arrivals from India has decreased due to the spike in positive COVID-19 cases in the neighbouring country, adding with the benefits of vaccinations, the Maldives will likely see an increase in overall tourist arrivals. He said the Maldives will offer vaccinations to tourists as part of its Visit, Vaccinate, Vacation plan or 3V plan, adding the government's main priority is to vaccinate the local population.
Highlighting the comparatively high number of recent tourist arrivals this year, Minister Mausoom predicted a significant spike in arrivals once the government begins the 3V plan.