Business Times

Crisis-hit Maldives says drop in tourist arrivals in Feb

Monthly tourist arrivals in the neighbouring Maldives fell for the first time in February last month with the country struggling to recover from an ongoing political crisis. February arrivals fell 4.7% to 83.252 from 87,392 in the same 2011 month when arrivals grew by 13.4% year-on-year against February 2010, according to official figures released this week.

The country's capital Male has been rocked by almost daily protests and clashes between opposition supporters and the Police, ever since President Mohamed Nasheed resigned on February 7.
Arrivals from China, the country's biggest source market, was the worst affected with a 34.8% drop to 12,237 while earlier second-placed UK eased by 6.8% to 9,006. France took over the UK position as the second highest source market gaining by 4.9% to 9,742.

German arrivals also rose by 25% to 8,591 among the top-end markets.Travel agents handling the Chinese market have said arrivals were affected because charters from there have not resumed since being suspended after the crisis broke out.

"Unlike western travellers, many who are repeats and familiar with the geography of the Maldives, the Chinese are mostly first-time travellers to the country and believe the whole country is affected by the unrest," one agent said.Maldivian authorities have repeatedly advised travellers that the situation is calm in the resorts and visiting Male is also safe.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other Business Times Articles
Crucial IMF meeting on SL loan
Tax Dept. dilemma on revenue targets
US is Sri Lanka's biggest trade beneficiary
CB credit ceiling will stump smaller banks
Hayleys to take 51% stake in Asia Siyaka
Dialog mulls rebranding Suntel
Sri Lanka's biggest trade fair returns after 15 years
Comment - Shooting from the hip, Sri Lankan-style
Cricket was one of my greatest teachers : Chandra Schaffter
Bleak future for SL tea smallholders
HNB raises US$ 50 million from overseas
‘Never do anything you cannot price’:Treasury expert
Airport security: Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted
Business urges overhaul of Sri Lanka’s labour laws : EFC survey
Colombo desperately needs water supply, sanitation reforms
Public comment sought on 2012 Census by Social Indicator
Cargills donates grape seedlings to Jaffna farmers
Rapid transit metro system in Colombo
Southern students say IT key to their future
Yamu GPS app for taxis tops Colombo Hackathon
SL remains most lucrative for young IT job seekers : survey
Android Business Forum
JKCS partners with Redpill Linpro, Norway
SLASSCOM partners with Bar Assoc.
Smart phone prices down to Rs. 5,000 by year-end : Etisalat CEO
Colombo bourse looks for direction
Milco back to normal after 2-day strike
Crisis-hit Maldives says drop in tourist arrivals in Feb
Sri Lanka-German vocational training project in Kilinochchi
Targeted food subsidies could help South Asia cope food price spikes
Ceylon Tea Trails wins TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award for
4th year
People's Bank says posts best ever financial results
CDB donates IT lab to Welioya school
Coca-Cola Regional Sustainability Advisory Council visits Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan top trade fair returns after 15-year hiatus
SL eyes trade fair as game changer
Energy boost from Korea
Colombo gets new business
Challenges, opportunities to invest in Colombo : Global investors speak

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2012 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution