Maldives Welcomes Chinese Tourists – First Post-Pandemic Direct Flight Arrives from China

Last year, the Maldives welcomed China’s decision to ease travel restrictions for its citizens beginning from 8th January 2023 which would lead to more Chinese tourists visiting this Indian Ocean destination. This came to fruition this year as the country welcomed China’s first direct flight since the pandemic on 18th January 2023; to celebrate this occasion, the arrival of the Capital Airlines flight that featured more than 190 tourists from China was met with a water cannon salute.

Present at the Velana International Airport at this time were Abdulla Mausoom, the Tourism Minister of the Maldives, Wang Lixin, the Chinese Ambassador, and other officials. Before the pandemic, China was amongst the key contributors to arrival numbers to the country and their return is eagerly anticipated. Such travellers can once more stay at the best all-inclusive resorts in Maldives including private island properties of hospitality brands like Adaaran Resorts which offer safe stays too.