The Edition
Mariyam Malsa
Tourists arriving to Maldives at Velana International Airport (VIA). PHOTO: MIHAARU
Mariyam Malsa
02 January 2021, MVT 20:38
Maldives Immigration, on Friday, commenced Maldives Border Miles, the world s first tier-based travel loyalty programme.
During the ceremony held at Velana International Airport (VIA) to welcome the first tourist of 2021 to Maldives, Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Ahmed Hussain gifted him a loyalty card from the bronze tier of the Maldives Border Miles programme.
Effective January 1, 2021 onwards, the loyalty programme enables registered visitors to earn points by travelling to Maldives. Points are allocated to tourists under a criteria which includes the duration of their stay, frequency of travel, visits to celebrate special occasions and visits on Maldivian celebrations.
Maldives pulls out all the stops for 500,000th visitor of the year
Aishath Shaany
Kristin Madeline Nittke arrived on Thursday morning
Raajjemv
Maldives pulled out all the stops for the 500,000th visitor of the year, with a festivity of Maldivian cultural activities.
While the country welcomed a record breaking 1.7 million tourists in 2019, a two million target was made for the ongoing year. This all changed following the Covid-19 pandemic, which has taken a toll on the country’s tourism industry and in turn economy.
The archipelago nation closed its borders on March 27, which were reopened on July 15. While arrivals were lower than expected following border reopening, there has been a increase in visitors each month since. The country welcomed the 100,000th visitor since border reopening, last Saturday.