Business
Maldives warmly welcomes first visitor of 2020
With the beginning of a new decade, the Maldives on Wednesday warmly welcomed the first visitor of 2020,
The lucky winner, Mohamed Alamer from Bahrain, arrived in Maldives for a vacation with his wife Sara Aljasim via Gulf Air GF144.
At a ceremony held at the main Velana International Airport, officials from the official tourism promotion body Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), together with the state-owned airport operator Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, Furaveri Maldives resort, Gulf Air and Ooredoo Maldives welcomed the lucky couple.
The stamping of the first visitor’s passport by the Maldives Immigration commenced the event where MMPRC staff escorted Alamer to the VIP lounge. Tourism minister Ali Waheed and MMPRC Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed then welcomed Alamer.
MMPRC presented Alamer with a congratulatory certificate and special gifts, whilst Furaveri Maldives resort offered a complimentary holiday package, which was presented by the minister. He also received return flight tickets to Maldives from Gulf Air, along with a gift package from Ooredoo Maldives.
Speaking at the event, MMPRC Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed reflected on the marketing activities conducted during the previous year and highlighted the efforts planned for this year.
“We are satisfied with the marketing activities we did last year. I expect to see the outcome of those activities in the coming days. We are targeting to achieve more in 2020. Maldives Year in Russia would be one of the many new initiatives which will be launched this year as part of the diversified marketing activities for 2020,” Thoyyib said.
As the first tourist of the year was from Bahrain, Thoyyib stressed the importance of this market for Maldives tourism.
“The Middle east and GCC region are important markets for us with its high yield, easy accessibility and potential for growth. A lot of activities were carried out for the market last year and we plan to do more this year. We are having a campaign with Vogue Arabia this January to kick off the 2020 campaign for this market,” he said.
The Maldives achieved the milestone arrival of 1.5 million tourists in November — 38 days ahead of schedule — with the total arrivals reaching 1.67 million by the end of year.
In 2019, MMPRC carried out more than 130 events, including fairs, roadshows, media fam trips and joint campaigns, to facilitate in achieving this target.
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.
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.
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.
-
Action1 week agoMischa Zverev returns to JOALI BEING to host tennis workshops in August
-
Awards1 week agoKuda Villingili Resort’s Fire Restaurant wins 2024 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award of Excellence
-
Drink1 week agoGourmet bliss: Escapade gourmande by Constance Hotels in Maldives
-
Entertainment1 week agoNH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort invites filmmakers to capture magic in paradise
-
Drink6 days agoMuraka Restaurant at Mirihi Island Resort receives 2024 Wine Spectator Award
-
News1 week agoNova Maldives unveils group brunching experiences for families, friends
-
News1 week agoPatina Maldives reaffirms commitment to sustainable tourism with 2024 Earthcheck Silver certification
-
Drink1 week agoDive into fun with popsicles at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort’s pool bar