China's Xiamen Airlines to begin direct flights to Maldives

Xiamen Airlines will launch direct flights to Maldives as part of the efforts by the governments of both Maldives and China to increase the number of tourists visiting the Indian Ocean tourist hotspot from China, President Mohamed Muizzu announced Saturday. 

Speaking to reporters at the Velana International Airport on his return after his first state visit to China, President Muizzu said discussions were held with Chinese authorities to double pre-pandemic Chinese arrivals within the next two years. 

The president said he had achieved success in his discussions to increase the number of tourists from China.

"A lot of discussions were held at the highest level to increase direct flights. Xiamen Air has decided to start direct flights to Maldives this spring," he said.

In addition to direct flights between Male and Xiamen, direct flights from other parts of China have also been discussed, the president said.

"In addition, marketing activities targeting Chinese tourists will intensify. China was the largest tourist market to Maldives before the pandemic. Efforts have been made to double that number in the next two years," he said.

President Muizzu on Tuesday called on tourism stakeholders in Maldives and China to intensify efforts to regain China's position as the single biggest source market for Maldives tourism. 

China was the single biggest source market for Maldives before Covid-19.

Tourists from China began arriving in Maldives again in January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Maldives welcomed 187,118 Chinese tourists in 2023. 

Authorities in Maldives on Sunday suspended three deputy ministers who had come under fire for their posts on X in which they are seen verbally abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India.

Last Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video of his recent visit to Lakshadweep to promote tourism in the region.

Some Indians have said that Modi's video was released to tell people that Indians do not have to go to Maldives for holidays and can experience the beauty of Maldives while staying in their own country.

The threat quickly got out of hand, and comments that were highly inappropriate to make against one’s neighbouring country started appearing. People also started racially criticising Indians. Maryam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef, who are deputies in the youth ministry, took the cake when they insulted the Indian prime minister himself.

Both Maldives and India summoned each other's envoys on Monday as the row escalated into a tourism boycott campaign against the Maldives.