Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has revealed that efforts are underway to increase the number of flights between the Maldives and India. The remarks were made by the minister while providing insight on the efforts to increase the number of Indian tourists to the Maldives.
India is a vital source market for the Maldives, with over 70,000 tourists from India visting tthe Maldives last year. India was the leading source of tourist arrivals to the Maldives last year and is currently among the top six countries contributing to tourist arrivals. Hence, the government is exerting several efforts to increase the number of tourists to the Maldives from India. To this date, a total of 73,000 tourists have arrived to the Maldives from India, as of August 6.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Faisal stated that he engaged in comprehensive discussions with several ministers from India. As such, he noted that the the primary focus of the discussions with India's Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, was to boost tourist arrivals to the Maldives and to attract investments to further develop the tourism sector. The discussions also covered providing training and scholarships in tourism-related fields and expanding flight operations by introducing more airlines from India. Additionally, the minister advocated for increasing the frequency of scheduled flights by existing airlines operating between the Maldives and India.
Furthermore, Minister Faisal disclosed arrangements to hold meeting between the Ministry of Tourism and airlines interested in increasing the frequency of flights. The minister stated that in addition to increase the number of flights, decisions have been made to work in collaboration with Indian tour operators as well. He said that the discussions will focus on the opportunities available in the Maldives.
Targetting the peak season of tourism, Vistara Airlines from India has decided to operate 21 flights between the Maldives and India from September onwards. Currently, two airlines from India; Indigo Airlines and Vistara Airlines operate to the Maldives. Additionally, Maldivian and Manta Airlines from the Maldives, also operates direct flights to India.