The ongoing war in Ukraine will significantly impact the tourism industry,  said Maldives’ Tourism Minister Abdullah Mausoom, as tourists from Russia and Ukraine, the two countries at war now, comprise almost 20 percent of the country’s total tourists. 

The Maldives, an Indian Ocean archipelago,  is heavily reliant on tourism, which contributes roughly 76 percent to its gross domestic product (GDP). Currently, Russia is its top source market. 

The war will definitely affect the country’s tourism adversely, Tourism Minister Abdullah Mausoom said, adding that Russia alone contributed close to 20 percent of total tourists’ inflow in January. 

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, western countries announced a series of harsh sanctions on Moscow which will have a crippling impact on the Russian economy. The financial and economic isolation of Russia has already depreciated its currency, the ruble,  almost by 40 percent in a week's time. 

“With changes to the Russian financial situation, the value of their currency has significantly dropped. Therefore, it will be very expensive for a person who wishes to travel to the Maldives,” Mausoom was quoted as saying by Sun news. 

Prior to the pandemic, China was the top source market for the Maldives. However, Beijing, despite repeated requests from Male, hasn’t yet opened outbound travel. Last year, Russia was the second-largest contributor after India to the country’s tourism. 

Officials are currently estimating the potential loss that the Maldives’ tourism could suffer from the ongoing war. Speaking to Sun news, Mausoom said the loss could be offset only if China opens its border for outbound travelers. 

He said he was hoping to see Chinese tourists this year. But,like  it is unclear when China will open its borders, he added. 

After the travel industry came to a halt following the pandemic in March 2020, the Maldives economy shrunk by almost 30 percent. Mausoom said some resorts and hotels were yet to recover from the losses they suffered during the initial months of the pandemic. 

(SAM)