First Direct Flight From Hong Kong to the Maldives

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) welcome the first direct flight from Hong Kong to the Maldives in 2020. Yesterday, a unique ritual was detained at Velana International Airport to stain the blissful event, commemorating the entrance of Hong Kong Airlines flight HX791 from Hong Kong International Airport, moving tourists from this marketplace to the Maldives.

The tourists were welcomed with a lively cultural performance known as BoduBeru and were given a special gift package that included flowers. This event commemorates the resurgence of tourists from Hong Kong Airlines to the Maldives, which is a major development since the start of the global pandemic. Notable attendees at the event included H.E Ambassador Ms. Wang Lixin, the Ambassador from the People’s Republic of China to the Maldives, as well as representatives from The Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, Maldives Customs Service, and various government-related enterprises and tourism associations in the Maldives.

China has always been a key market for the tourism industry in the Maldives. The direct flights from China to the Maldives resumed on January 18, 2023, after a 3-year hiatus due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Before 2020, the Chinese market was consistently the leading source of tourists to the Maldives. In the previous year, the Maldives welcomed over 187,118 tourists from China, solidifying its position as one of the top three source markets for the Maldives. There has been a consistent increase in arrival numbers since the borders reopened.

Hong Kong continues to be a significant market in the region. The introduction of direct connectivity from Hong Kong is expected to boost the ongoing growth in visitor numbers.

MMPRC consistently markets the Maldives as a top destination in the Chinese market through strategic activities. In 2023, MMPRC carried out successful joint online promotions and familiarization trips. The Maldives welcomed its highest-ever tourist arrivals last year, surpassing 1.8 million tourists. Additionally, the Maldives was awarded the title of ‘World’s Leading Destination’ for the fourth consecutive year at the 2023 World Travel Awards. MMPRC received the ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’ award for the second consecutive year. In addition, the Maldives received the newly introduced Global Tourism Resilience Award for its ability to recover swiftly and thrive after disruptions. These achievements indicate a significant success for the Maldives’ tourism sector, highlighting its exceptional position in the global tourism landscape and the enduring appeal of the Sunny Side of Life to travelers worldwide.

MMPRC has planned numerous engaging activities for the Chinese market this year, including an e-learning campaign, digital promotions on popular Chinese apps, outdoor marketing efforts, joint promotional campaigns, familiarization trips, social media initiatives, and active participation in fairs and exhibitions. The restarting of flights and focused marketing in the Chinese market are expected to yield favorable results for the Maldives tourism industry, reinforcing the Maldives as the top choice for Chinese travelers.