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. |
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