Major economic boost on Russia-Ukraine war end: Mausoom
Prior to the war, Russia was the country with the highest number of tourist arrivals to the Maldives.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
Tourism minister Dr Abdulla Mausoom has on Tuesday called for an end to the chaos and "muddling" of major countries.
A ceremony was held at Velana International Airport on Tuesday to welcome the 1.6 millionth tourist, marking the government's target for this year.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Mausoom said that international issues like the Russia-Ukraine war were affecting the economies of smaller countries like the Maldives.
"These big people [countries] need to stop this hatred. The economies of small countries like us, which were built behind them, are suffering. If the Russia-Ukraine things that are happening in Europe end, the economy will grow exceptionally," Mausoom said.
Prior to the war, Russia was the country with the highest number of tourist arrivals to the Maldives. Ukraine is also on the list of top 10 countries with the highest number of tourist arrivals to the Maldives. However in late February, when Russia invaded Ukraine and began fighting, Ukraine disappeared from the list completely, and Russia also dropped down in the list.
Russia is now second on the list. Mausoom said that while India and Russia are recently the same in terms of number of tourist arrivals, when it comes to beds/night Russia is still ahead.
"If you look at spending, the Russians [spend more]. A lot of Russians come to upmarket resorts. So the Russian market is very important in terms of tourism revenue," Mausoom said.
