Maldives Tourism Bulletin
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“ Photo by: COMO Hotels / COMO Maalifushi © © “ Photo by: The Nautilus Maldive & Resorts Hotels by:Photo COMO Island & Resorts Hotels Cocoa by:Photo COMO - COMO Travelling has become a huge challenge across adhere to the health procedures and guidelines the globe due to the current global pandemic. announced by the government of Maldives. The challenges are more complex and tougher for countries like the Maldives where the islands The declaration form is a one-o signed are scattered across the ocean. The Maldives agreement made between the two tourist oers verities of accommodation options to its facilities where the tourist movements will take visitors, ranging from resort islands to place. What is important to note is that there are live-aboard cruise boats. “Split-stay” has been a four key conditions to these split-stays, common occurrence in the Maldives even before violations to which could result in the the pandemic as tourists visiting the Maldives immediate suspension of travel movements to love to hop from one facility to the other during and from the respective tourist facilities and their stay, enjoying the beautiful islands and temporary suspension of the approval issued services oered in dierent facilities. This by the Ministry of Tourism to operate the facility requires numerous amounts of travel in accordance with the “Guideline for Restarting movements between the facilities. The Tourism in Maldives”. To begin with, it is a re-opening of Maldives borders for international mandatory requirement for all tourist facilities tourists in July 2020, commenced with strong to maintain and update the logs of these precautionary measures against COVID-19 movements of each tourist as stated in Annex-5 spread in the country, one of which was limiting of the aforementioned public health guideline. tourist movements between islands and In addition, tourists should not be allowed to facilities. Tourists were only allowed to stay at leave the facility on a split-stay movement one registered tourist facility in the Maldives per while in isolation, quarantine, has fever or visit. This led to many challenges for tourist develop any COVID-19 related symptoms. facilities and tourists wishing to explore dierent Moreover, facilities should not undertake any aspects of the Maldives and the services tourist movements if the tourist facility is available. To address these challenges the declared as an “ongoing contact tracing” or Ministry of Tourism, with guidance and advice “community spread” site by HPA. And nally, from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of the tourist facilities must make an alternative Maldives has been taking several measures. arrangement for the tourist if the status of the facility changes while the tourists are on their The current procedure set in place for tourist way to the facility on a split stay. “split-stay” is simple. Tourist facilities are required to ll a declaration form and submit it to the At a time when social norms are challenged by Ministry of Tourism. Additionally, facilities are a global health crisis, it is important for all to also required to submit a health screening form work together and follow the procedures and for the tourists, as per Annex-5 of the guideline guidelines set forth by the Authorities. The on “Public Health Interventions to prevent declaration form can be downloaded from the COVID-19 Transmission in the Tourism Sector” Ministry of Tourism website and completed and the movements can start right away. No forms are to be submitted via email to additional approvals are required. All parties [email protected] involved however, should keep in mind and “ Photo by: COMO Hotels / COMO Maalifushi April May 1. 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. 4. 9. 5. 10. 1. 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. Switzerland: 11,588 4. 9. 5. 10. EMIRATES AEROFLOT SINGAPORE AIRLINES ETIHAD AIRWAYS AIR FRANCE SRILANKAN AIRLINES FLY DUBAI AUSTRIAN AIRLINES SILK AIR GULF AIR AIR SEYCHELLES AZUR AIR RUSSIA QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH AIRWAYS SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES CONDOR EDELWEISS LUFTHANSA TURKISH AIRLINES AIR INDIA GOAIR AIR ASTANA INDIGO AZUR AIR UKRIANE GULLIVAIR SCAT AIRLINES UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS AIR VISTARA UKRAINE INT'L AIRLINES LOT POLISH AIRLINES Accommodation Facilities (at end May 2021) No.s Beds Resorts / Marinas 154 35,640 Hotels 10 1,360 Guesthouses 425 7,726 Safari Vessels 139 2,726 Total 728 47,452 “ “ Photo by: Milaidhoo Island Maldives “ µµ ´ ´ ¶ ¶ ´ ¶ © ²ª ´ ´ ° ´ · µ Photo by: COMO Hotels / COMO Maalifushi / COMO Hotels by:Photo COMO µ ² ´ ´ “ ´ ¶ ± ´ µ “ ¸ µ µ .