The Maldives has crossed the 50,00o mark in tourist arrival since its border reopened on July 15 of this year after the COVID-19 lockdown, reported Sun news. 

By 11 November, the Tourism Ministry data showed, the country has received total of 51,354 tourists, 20 percent of which (10,972) it received only in the last 11 days between November 1-11.

Around 21,000 tourists it received only in the month of October. The trend indicates an encouraging improvement in the revival of the tourism industry which has been hit hard by the global pandemic. 

The increase in tourist footfall comes as more and more airlines are starting their operations to, and from, the Indian Ocean archipelago. Eleven  more airlines are expected to soon start their flight operations to the country. 

Having faced with the near shutdown of the tourism industry, the government revenue dwindled as it also had to make room for the COVID expenditure. The government in July decided to reopen its border for tourism, but growth remains low due to the unavailability of flights. 

The government introduced a slew of measures like offering health insurance and ramping up marketing campaigns to increase the tourist footfall in the country. 

Revenues from tourism form the backbone of the Maldives’ economy and contribute vastly to the state coffer. Recently the Fitch Ratings downgraded the country’s credit rating to “CCC” from earlier “B-” given the slump in tourism and rising foreign debt on the country.