The Government of the Maldives has celebrated the one-year anniversary of reopening the borders by welcoming the first guest to arrive on July 15. The welcoming celebration was planned by the Ministry of Tourism and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
After arriving on a Flydubai flight, Switzerland tourist Kobel Clemenze Stipe' and his partner were welcomed at Velana International Airport with a Maldivian traditional drum group.
In an interview with PSM News, Stipe' said this was his first trip to the Maldives and that he decided to spend his holidays in the country due to its natural beauty. Stipe' also said he plans to spend his time relaxing, swimming, and touring the Maldives.
Speaking to PSM News, Deputy Minister at the Tourism Ministry Assad Riza said over 700,000 tourists have visited the Maldives since the borders re-opened and that he expects the number will be over one million by the end of the year.
The government closed the Maldivian borders on March 27, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened borders on July 15 that year. The government has been involved in various activities to promote Maldives tourism since the re-opening of borders.