Within a week of resumption of direct air connectivity between China and the Maldives on January 18, Chinese tourist arrivals to the destination jumped to the top 10 source markets for the year.
The first flight carrying Chinese tourists to the Maldives since 2020 was operated by Beijing Capital Airlines from Beijing.
Since then, China has swiftly risen to the eighth top source market spot, with 2,727 arrivals as of January 22. This number is expected to rise further as nations around the world prepare for an influx of Chinese travellers during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
On January 28, China Southern Airlines resumed flying once a week from Guangzhou to the Maldives.
Other airlines to begin direct flights to the Maldives include China Eastern Airlines flying twice weekly from Shanghai starting from February 4, and Hong Kong Airlines from Hong Kong in May.
