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South African Airways begins direct service to Maldives south

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South African Airways has begun direct flight operations to the Maldives.

The inaugural flight of South African Airways arrived at the Gan International Airport in the southernmost Maldives atoll of Addu Sunday morning.

Passengers travelling on the inaugural flight received a warm welcome with traditional performances and a sky diving event. Addu city mayor Abdulla Sodig, civil aviation minister Aishath Nahula, parliament speaker Qasim Ibrahim and business tycoon Hussain ‘Champa’ Afeef attended the welcoming ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, minister Nahula said the direct service by South African Airways will be a major boost to tourism and related businesses in Addu.

“We’ve planned to introduce seaplane service in Addu as well. With these new developments in air connectivity, Addu will be well-connected to the rest of the country,” she said.

Afeef, whose Kasa Holdings has a sizeable stake in Gan International Airport, said the direct service will reduce flight time for tourists from South Africa to seven hours from 12. Businesses in Addu will also gain easy access to the South African market, he added.

“Traders in Addu can now import goods directly from South Africa,” Afeef, who is amongst the pioneers of tourism in Maldives, said.

The weekly charter is operated by South Africa based Air Tour Operator (ATO). A 300-seater Airbus A340 jet is used for the service from O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to the Gan International Airport.

South African Airways is looking to expand its operations to other destinations in the Maldives.

Despite several new resort developments and a boom in guesthouse tourism across the Maldives, Addu as a whole has lagged behind for years in attracting tourism-related investments. The relatively large atoll, which has unique geographical features compared to other parts of the island nation, is home to only two of the some 130 tourist resorts in the Maldives; Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, and Canareef Resort Maldives.

A brand new resort being constructed on the uninhabited island of Ismehela Hera in Addu is expected to open soon,

However, tourism in the south has recently received a much needed boost from the launch of direct flightsto Gan International Airport by SriLankan Airlines.

Neighbouring Sri Lanka’s flagship carrier, which is particularly popular amongst tourists who travel to the Maldives from Europe, currently operates six weekly flights to Gan from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.

Gan International Airport recently underwent a major renovation project that saw the expansion of its runway and upgrading of its facilities.

South African Airways, which flies to 38 destinations in 26 countries in Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australasia, will join SriLankan Airlines as the only two international airlines to operate flights to the airport.

South Africa was once a major source market for the Maldives, but it has declined significantly over the years.

However, tourist arrivals from South Africa are gaining momentum once again, as the Maldives welcomed 7,050 South African tourists in 2017 — a 51.4 percent increase over the 4,656 in the same period of 2016. Arrivals from the country has also seen an 11.5 percent growth in the past 10 months of this year to reach 5,876 from the 5,268 in the same period last year.

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Maldives celebrates arrival of 2024’s 1 millionth tourist

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Maldives on Thursday welcomed the one millionth tourist to visit this year.

The one millionth tourist is a Thai named Sutapa Amonwivat, who arrived from Singapore with her husband and two children. This is her second visit to Maldives.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Ministry of Tourism gave a warm welcome to Sutapa at the Velana International Airport (VIA) Thursday afternoon. She was welcomed at the VIA by tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal, MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury and senior officials of various relevant agencies.

After welcoming her with traditional offerings, she was presented with various gifts by the ministry, MMPRC, customs, immigration, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).

Maldives reached one million tourists in June, three weeks earlier than last year. The number of tourists reached one million on July 16, 2023.

Maldives expects to reach 2 million tourists this year.

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New air route connects Chongqing to Maldives

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Chongqing Airlines on Monday began its inaugural flights to Maldives.

The Chongqing-Male route, scheduled three times a week, is expected to strengthen the bonds between China and the Maldives, opening up exciting new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange.

The inaugural flight was welcomed upon its arrival at Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives, where local officials and tourism representatives expressed their enthusiasm for this new development.

“We warmly welcome our friends from China to our beautiful islands. This new connection strengthens our bonds and opens up new opportunities for tourism,” the tourism ministry said on X.

Maldives currently welcomes four airlines from China, including China Eastern, Beijing Capital Airlines, Xiamen Airlines.

In January, Maldives government urged tourism stakeholders in both Maldives and China to ramp up efforts to restore China’s position as the primary source market for Maldives tourism, a status held before the onset of Covid-19.

China, being the largest source market for Maldives tourism before the pandemic, saw a resumption of tourist arrivals from January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Maldives welcomed 187,118 Chinese tourists, marking a significant recovery in numbers. This year, the Maldives has welcomed the most number of tourists from China, with over 107,940 or 11.5 percent of total arrivals by June 12. 

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CROSSROADS Maldives Introduces Weixin Pay at resorts for seamless guest experience

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CROSSROADS Maldives has introduced WeChat Pay, widely known as Weixin Pay in China, across its world-class resorts, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. This payment option is made available to enhance the convenience and overall experience for guests from China, making their stay in the Maldives more enjoyable and hassle-free.

Understanding the needs of the diverse guests, CROSSROADS Maldives has integrated WeChat Pay into operations, allowing guests from China to easily and securely conduct transactions using a payment method familiar to them. The introduction of WeChat Pay is a testament to CROSSROADS Maldives’ dedication to enhancing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional experiences at every turn. What is also expected through this initiative is that the guests could benefit from better foreign exchange rates, translating to better savings on their expenditures during their stay.

The option is available for guests in-house conveniently at both resorts as well as across the Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives where a wider variety of unparalleled dining and retail experiences are available for all guests. The day visitors from China will also therefore equally benefit from this new introduction at the Maldives’ premier multi-island integrated leisure destination.

SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a vibrant tropical escape that offers unique and locally inspired experiences. The resort features spacious rooms and villas, a variety of dining options, and an array of recreational activities designed to cater to the desires of modern travellers. Guests can escape to the island’s SAiisational natural beauty, enjoy water sports, and indulge in spa treatments, all while relishing the personalised service that defines Hilton’s Curio Collection.

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives brings the iconic Hard Rock spirit to the tranquil shores of the Maldives. This family-friendly resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment, featuring music-inspired experiences, live performances, and the brand’s signature amenities. With luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a plethora of activities for all ages, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives ensures an unforgettable holiday experience for every guest.

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