Minister of Tourism Dr Abdulla Mausoom revealed Thursday that tourist arrivals are projected to nosedive to only 725,000 tourists in 2021, compared to Maldives' record high of 1.7 million in 2019.

Speaking on a television programme broadcast on local channel SanguTV, the minister stated that the estimate was drawn up from research conducted by industry experts regarding the state budget for the next year.

Although he noted that both local and international veterans anticipate a sluggish pick up for the travel and hospitality field amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he expressed personal hopes that Maldives could attract at least a million visitors in 2021.

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