Maldives welcomes first visitor of 2021, launches border miles
Under the loyalty program, visitors will have the opportunity to earn points each time they cross the border with added points for special occasions
Zunana Zalif
The first tourist of the year was welcomed on Friday
Maldives Border Miles / Twitter
For the first time in the world, ‘Maldives Border Miles’ has officially been launched.
During a special ceremony held at Velana International Airport (VIA), the country welcomed the first tourist of the new year 2021, on Friday.
The tourism promotion program was initiated by the Maldives Immigration and developed with joint stakeholders, it was introduced by the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom back in September.
Maldives estimates over 50,000 tourist arrivals within next 17 days
Zunana Zalif
Maldives welcomed the 100,000th tourist arrival on Saturday
RaajjeMV
Maldives expects over 50,000 tourist arrivals within the next 17 days.
This was revealed by the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MALC), who noted that 50,000 tourist arrivals have been confirmed for the remainder of the month.
After a little over three months since borders were closed on March 27, Maldives reopened borders for international travel on July 15. As tourist arrivals continue to steadily increase, the tourism ministry has estimated that the island nation will reach its target of 500,000 tourist arrivals by December 25.
Air France resumes flights to Maldives
Aishath Shaany
Air France resumed operations to Maldives on Saturday
Velana Airport
Air France has resumed flights to the Maldives.
While the airline is among the many that were forced to halt flights to the island nation following border closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it restarted flights on Saturday.
According to Maldives Airports Company Limited, Air France will operate three weekly flights to the island nation.
Maldives halted issuing on-arrival visas on March 27 and a little over three months later, reopened borders for international travel on July 15. While tourist arrivals were low following border reopening, it has been increasing every month since.
Air France to resume flights to Maldives
Zunana Zalif
Three weekly flights will be operated
Reuters
Air France is to begin flight operations to Maldives from Saturday.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) revealed that the flag carrier of France will resume flight operations to the Velana International Airport (VIA) on December 19 and that three weekly flights will be operated.
Air France, included among the renowned airlines operating to several destinations across the globe, halted flight operations to the island nation due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Maldives halted issuing on-arrival visas on March 27 and a little over three months later, reopened borders for international travel on July 15.
Maldives welcomes 100,000th visitor since border reopening
While the country welcomed 1.7 million tourist arrivals in 2019, it is expected meet its target of 500,000 tourist arrivals for this year by December 25
Aishath Shaany
Jasmin Burki arrived from Switzerland via Emirates on Saturday morning
RaajjeMV
Maldives on Saturday welcomed the 100,000th visitor since border reopening.
While the country’s borders were closed on March 27 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they were reopened on July 15.
The 100,000th visitor arrived in the island nation on Saturday morning, and was given a grand welcome by the Ministry of Tourism, together with Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Maldives Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).