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GoAir resumes Maldives flights with Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore direct service
GoAir on Sunday resumed its flight operations to the Maldives, as part of the Indian budget carrier’s winter schedule.
GoAir’s first flight this season landed at the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport Sunday morning.
Tourism minister Ali Waheed, Indian ambassador to the Maldives Sunjay Sudhir and top officials of the airport operator Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) welcomed the crew and passengers.
Until January 31, 2020, GoAir will operate direct flights to Male five days a week from Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru.
- Mumbai – Male – Mumbai: GoAir’s direct flight G8 23 will depart from Mumbai at 9am and arrive in Male at 11.15am, every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. On its return journey, flight G8 24 will leave Male every Wednesday and Sunday at 12.10pm and on Thursday it will leave at 12.20pm to arrive in Mumbai at 3.40pm.
- Delhi – Male – Delhi: Flight G8 33 will take off from Delhii at 10.35am and arrive in Male at 2.15pm, and flight G8 34 depart from Male at 3.15pm and arrive in Delhi at 7.45pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Bangalore – Male – Bangalore: Flight G8 will take off from Bangalore at 1.10pm and arrive in Male at 2.40pm, and on its return journey flight G8 44 will leave Male at 3.45pm and reach Bangalore at 6.10pm every Wednesday and Sunday.
“The Maldivian capital known for its scenic white sandy beaches, azure sea waters and exotic, colourful coral reefs is a popular tourist destination. Malé is the throbbing, mercantile heart of Maldives. Yet its laid-back lifestyle on scenic beaches with fresh produce from the island is a hot favourite for honeymooners as well as families looking for a relaxing get-away destination,” a statement issued by GoAir read.
“Ahead of the upcoming holiday season the new flights connecting Male to Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore will aid travellers to enjoy all that this beautiful tropical island has to offer.”
GoAir operated flights to the Maldives during the last winter season.
Flagship carriers of the Maldives and India currently operate scheduled flights to and from major cities, including Bangalore, Trivandrum and Chennai.
Low-cost Indian airline SpiceJet operates daily direct connections between Kochi and Male as well as Trivandrum and Male. Another budget carrier, IndiGo also operate daily non-stop flights between Male and Kochi, as well as five weekly service from Mumbai and twice weekly from Bangalore.
GoAir’s winter service to the Maldives — to and from three of the major business and tourism hubs in India — is expected to help both the countries, and further boost tourist arrivals to the Maldives from India, which has become a major source market for the Maldives’ tourism industry.
Official figures show that 90,474 tourists arrived in Maldives from its closest neighbour last year, a nine per cent increase from the 83,019 Indian travellers that chose the Maldives in 2017.
That growth has continued this year as well, as the number of Indian tourists that visited the Maldives recorded a 105.1 per cent increase in the first nine months of the year to reach 115,507.
Maldives has also become a sought after destination by Bollywood stars.
Famous Bollywood stars who have vacationed in the Maldives include Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Parineeti Chopra, the Bachchan family, Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, and Sonakshi Sinha.
JA Manafaru has announced that renowned DJ and radio presenter Tom Green will once again host an exciting after-party this year. Recognised for his high-energy performances and exceptional music selection, Green is a well-known voice in the UK, celebrated for his work on the KISS FM Breakfast Show, as well as his roles at Capital FM and The Hits Radio.
Beyond his radio career, Green has co-hosted ‘The Bauer BRITS Show’ and collaborated with global stars, including Katy Perry, whom he interviewed live during her tour. As a sought-after event host, he brings unmatched confidence and charisma, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Expressing his excitement about returning to the Maldives, Green stated, “It’s an absolute pleasure to be back in the Maldives playing at JA Manafaru. I had such a great time during the last festive season, and it’s exciting to know that we’re only going bigger and better this year. There’s only one place to be when the clock strikes midnight, and that’s on THIS island.”
Guests can anticipate an electrifying evening as Tom Green takes to the decks, delivering an incredible line-up of tracks to keep the celebration alive. The New Year’s After Party will commence at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, at JA Manafaru.
Sun Siyam Resorts has announced that all spas across its five properties in the Maldives have received accreditation from the Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO), the global authority in beauty and spa therapy, as of December. This milestone underscores the resort group’s dedication to providing spa services that meet internationally recognised standards of professional care and expertise.
The accredited spas include:
- Veyo Spa by Thalgo at Siyam World
- The Spa by Thalgo at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
- The Spa, Ocean Spa, and Blue Spa at Sun Siyam Olhuveli
- Ocean Spa at Sun Siyam Iru Veli
- The Spa at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
Established in 1946 in Brussels and currently headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, CIDESCO represents the pinnacle of excellence in aesthetics and spa therapy. Operating in over 40 countries across five continents, this non-profit organisation sets globally recognised benchmarks for beauty and spa qualifications.
The accreditation highlights Sun Siyam Resorts’ commitment to delivering outstanding wellness services in line with CIDESCO’s high standards. It reflects the spas’ dedication to maintaining professionalism, hygiene, and service quality while adhering to industry best practices.
Guests staying at Sun Siyam Resorts can now enjoy spa treatments that align with CIDESCO’s internationally endorsed standards for beauty and wellness.
For the first time in its history, Maldives has reached the milestone of welcoming two million tourists in a single year. This achievement marks a significant moment for the nation’s tourism industry, underscoring its global appeal as a premier travel destination.
The target of two million tourists, set for this year, was officially achieved today. To commemorate the occasion, a special ceremony was held at Velana International Airport, where the landmark visitor was welcomed with fanfare.
The two millionth tourist, Astrid Dirnegger from Austria, arrived in Maldives with her husband and two children. As part of the celebrations, she received a variety of souvenirs and a holiday package from SAii Lagoon Resort, offering her family the opportunity to experience the renowned hospitality and luxury of the Maldives.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Maldives now hosts an average of more than 6,000 tourists daily, reflecting its sustained popularity among travellers worldwide.
China has emerged as the top source of visitors this year, followed by significant contributions from Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, India, the United States, France, Spain, and Switzerland.
This milestone underscores the Maldives’ position as a leading destination for international tourism, renowned for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and world-class resorts. As the nation celebrates this historic achievement, the tourism sector looks forward to continued growth and success in the coming years.
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