Male’, Maldives – Tourism Minister of Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has said that the estimated targeted number of tourists for the year would not be affected by the lockdown in the United Kingdom.
The government had foretasted a total of half a million tourists to visit Maldives by the end of the year, but due to the new lockdowns being imposed around the world, this figure might not be reached. Minister Dr. Mausoom said that due to the lockdown in UK alone, they are expecting booking cancellations between two thousand and four thousand.
Until date, a total of 420,000 tourists have come to Maldives this year and among those 2,923 are UK citizens who visited Maldives after the borders reopened on July 15. Minister said that even though there would be an impact on the number of tourists who come due to the UK lockdown, there is still high possibility of reaching this years target as tourists who are coming from other countries are increasing.
The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a month long lockdown to curb a surging coronavirus outbreak in thr country which comes in to effect from November 5 onward. The UK lockdown comes in to effect while the Maldivian tourism sector is starting to pick up after the borders reopened.
The ministry had stated that a total of 37,468 tourists had arrived to Maldives from July 15 until October 28. Currently 18 airlines are operating to Maldives on a scheduled basis
