Maldives
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Tourism in Maldives which was introduced in 1972 has successfully developed in the past years. Maldives tourism has been rapidly growing the number of tourist arrivals and resorts islands over the last ten year period.On the European market, Maldives today rank among the most attractive travel destinations in the tropics. Maldives offers large natural resources for tourism and encourages eco-tourism to protect the sensitive environment and underwater life.
It is not only divers and snorkelers who enjoy the profuse underwater resources, but also beach tourists are attracted by the nature of the beaches and the climatic conditions as well. This environment really guarantees relaxation and recreation.
Travel To Maldives
Although geographically isolated the Maldives is easily accessible by air from anywhere in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe. Colombo is an hour’s journey away by air, from Singapore and Dubai it takes about four hours and from Europe it takes nine to eleven hours to reach Malé International Airport.
What To Pack
The Maldives is warm throughout the year. Light, cotton and linen wear is ideal. Pack lots of tee shirts, beachwear, and wraparound skirts, cotton shirts and shorts. For visits to inhabited islands, where most of the streets are of compact sand, or Malé, where the streets are paved, sandals are the best foot wear. Some essential items include swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat or a cap. If your travel plan includes traveling to many islands, a mosquito repellent may become handy.
Customs
Tourists are issued a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. A valid travel document is necessary. Visa extensions are granted by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Malé. The import of firearms, drugs, pornography and idols of worship are prohibited. Dogs, pigs, and pork products are also prohibited for import by tourists. Alcohol imported under a special license is available in all the resorts. Similarly pork products are available at most of the resorts as well. Prohibited products such as alcohol brought in by passengers are bonded and released at departure.
Health Requirements
An international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever and cholera is required by visitors arriving from infected countries.
MTPB At The Airport
The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board has a counter at the airport arrival terminal to provide information and assistance to tourists arriving in the country and provide a variety of brochures in different languages for guests.
Resort Transfer
If you have a booking with a resort, transfer is usually arranged prior to your arrival. The options of speedboat or seaplane transfer where available is for you to choose from. For transfer to resorts close to the airport, motorboat or Dhoni transfer is quite convenient. Even if you make a resort booking while in Malé, transfer arrangements are often made by the resort.
The Maldives has one of the largest seaplane fleets in the world, not surprising for a country with 99% ocean and more than a thousand islands. The low altitude seaplane journey offers you the additional opportunity to experience a breathtaking bird̢۪s eye view of the country.
Departure Tax
The airport departure tax which is US$ 12.00 is usually included when you purchase your airline ticket.
Duty Free Shopping
Duty Free Shopping is only available at the departure terminal at Malé International Airport. The lounge has specialized shops with a wide variety of international brands selling well known products at competitive prices. The duty free lounge has shops for toys, souvenirs, perfume, electronics, watches, fashion accessories, jewelry, liquor and tobacco and confectionery.
Scheduled Flights
Name of Airlines |
Country of Origin |
Route |
AIR SAHARA |
INDIA |
DEL/COK/TRV/MLE/TRV/COK |
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES |
AUSTRIA |
VIE/CMB/MLE/VIE |
BANKOK AIRWAYS |
THAILAND |
BKK/MLE/BKK |
CONDOR |
GERMANY |
FRA/MLE/FRA MUC/MUC |
EMIRATES |
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES |
DXB/CMB/MLE/CMB DXB/MLE/CMB/DXB |
EUROFLY |
ITALY |
MXP/FCO/MLE/FCO/MXP MXP/MLE/MXP MXP/CMB/MLE/MXP MXP/CMB/MLE/MXP |
INDIAN AIRLINES |
INDIA |
TRV/MLE/TRV BLR/MLE/BLR |
LIVINGTON AIR |
ITALY |
MXP/MLE/MXP MXP/MLE/MXP |
LTU INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS |
GERMANY |
DUS/MLE/DUS MUC/MLE/MUC FRA/MLE/FRA |
MALAYSIA AIRLINES |
MALAYSIA |
KUL/MLE/CMB/KUL |
MARTIN AIR HOLLAND |
NETHERLANDS |
AMS/CMB/MLE/AMS BRU/CMB/HKT/MLE/AMS |
QATAR AIRWAYS |
QATAR |
DOH/MLE/DOH |
SINGAPORE AIRLINES |
SINGAPORE |
SIN/MLE/SIN |
SRILANKAN AIRLINES |
SRILANKA |
CMB/MLE/CMB CMB/MLE/NRT LHR/MLE/CMB NRT/MLE/CMB |
VIVA MACAU |
MACAU |
MFM/MLE/MFM |