Chinese tourist arrivals have already jumped to the top 10 source markets for the year in the Maldives within one week since the reinitiation of direct air connectivity between the two countries. Direct flights from China to the Maldives resumed on 18th January 2023, following a 3-year hiatus due to border closures with the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The first flight carrying Chinese tourists to the Maldives was Beijing Capital Airlines Flight JD455 from Beijing Daxing International Airport. The arriving tourists were greeted with traditional BoduBeru and a special gift pack along with flowers in celebration of welcoming the first visitors from China to the Maldives in the past 3 years. The event was joined by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, Ambassadors and other high-level executives from the Government of the Maldives and China.
The reception of this celebration went exceptionally well and became a trending hot topic in Chinese media and top apps. Since then, China has swiftly risen to the 08th top source market spot, with 2,727 arrivals (2.2% from the total arrivals of 122,186) as of 22nd January 2023. This number is expected to rise further as nations around the world prepare for an influx of Chinese travellers for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations.
The Maldives currently has 1 airline flying directly between China and the Maldives – Beijing Capital Airline flying from Beijing, but three more airlines are expected to begin direct flights from different Chinese cities to the Maldives soon. These are China Southern Airlines flying from Guangzhou, beginning 28th January 2023; China Eastern Airlines flying from Shanghai, beginning 04th February 2023; and Hong Kong Airlines flying from Hong Kong, beginning in May this year. Of these, China Eastern Airlines will have two weekly flights to the Maldives, while China Southern Airlines will have 1 weekly flight.
