Maldives receives safe travels stamp from WTTC

Dhaka: Maldives has received the Safe Travels Stamp, endorsed by the World Tourism Organisation and over 200 travel companies. The objective of the Safe Travel Stamp is to provide confidence to travellers and reestablish consumer confidence in Travel and Tourism and ensure travellers of enhanced standards of hygiene are in place and the assurance that they can once again experience ‘Safe Travels’. It is the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for Travel and Tourism, designed to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has recognised the efforts of Maldives in implementing enhanced health and safety measures, in line with the WTTC global Safe Protocols, and creating a safe gradual plan by rebuilding confidence among travellers and ensuring a coordinated approach in restarting the country’s tourism industry.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) also embraced the WTTC Safe Travels stamp, which have the safety and hygiene of travelers as their top priority. Since the launch of the stamp, major destinations around the world have signed up to the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp.

Maldives reopened borders to all nationals from July 15. Maldivian Air is operating two weekly direct flights on Dhaka-Male route from August 4 on Tuesdays and Fridays. The flights are operated by A320/321 and the flight time is less than four hours.

"There is no need for a visa or any fee," announced Maldivian Air earlier, adding that following the coronavirus pandemic, the island nation is strictly maintaining all health guidelines to ensure the safety of travellers.

"Travellers will not face any quarantine either after reaching Maldives," the airline noted.

Furthermore, amid the sharp decline in travel demand, the resorts in Maldives are offering "rock bottom" prices to encourage travellers to visit, said Maldivian air in a press release.

The carrier is also offering a honeymoon tour package of three nights and four days at BDT 96,500.