The government of Maldives has announced that it will once again welcome travellers from India starting 15th July 2021.
As per the latest update from the Maldives government, the island nation will once again start issuing on-arrival tourist visas for travellers from South Asia starting 15th July 2021. In order to visit, tourists will have to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test report.
Maldives imposed a temporary suspension on issuance of on-arrival tourist visas for travellers arriving from South Asian countries including India on 13th May 2021. In addition to India, the countries included under this ban are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
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The re-opening of Maldives is a big boost to airlines as India is one of the top source of tourists, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when India was one of the very few countries in the world from where Maldives accepted tourists. Therefore, the latest travel update comes as a huge relief for all the tourism stakeholders.
The ban on India has hit tourism arrivals in the country, in turn slowing down the economic recovery. Additionally, a recent rise in cases in the island nation has led to more restrictions in populated areas to curb infections. Now, with cases in India falling to their lowest level since March, the Maldives is ready to open once again.
Indian airlines will benefit from this decision. Opening up of countries like UAE and Maldives could spark a recovery of traffic in the coming months. While flights have not been added just yet, we can expect nonstop services to the Maldives in the coming days.
Note that the precise travel restrictions for entry into the Maldives will be announced in the coming days. So keep an eye out for that.
Click here to view the approved opening dates of tourist resorts, yacht marinas, tourist hotels, tourist vessels, guesthouses, transit facilities, and foreign vessels (Updated on 30th June 2021).
What do you think of the re-opening of Maldives to travellers from South Asia? Are you eager to the visit this beautiful island nation? Let me know in the comments section below.
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