Chartered flight from Europe to Maldives cancelled over political turmoil

A chartered flight scheduled to carry tourists from Europe to Maldives for the summer holidays has been cancelled.

The political instability and the State of Emergency declared in Maldives has resulted in concern for travel and tourism stakeholders operating in Maldives.

CEO of Capital Travel and Tours, Yoosuf Riffath tweeted last Monday night that a confirmed charter from Madrid, Spain to Maldives for the summer holidays has been cancelled.

“22 years of marketing down the drain,” wrote Riffath in his tweet.

“#Maldives tourism is in peril. State of Emergency must be lifted not extended.”

Confirmed charter from #Madrid for summer 2018 cancelled. 22 years of marketing down the drain. #Maldives tourism is in peril. State of Emergency must be lifted not extended. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke pic.twitter.com/laAkvZPncn

— Yoosuf Riffath (@YRiffath) February 19, 2018

Maldivian tour operators who participated in the BIT Milan 2018 travel exhibition in Italy last week reported that visitors expressed concern over the safety and security for tourists in Maldives.

A push has already been made by the Maldivian government to extend the State of Emergency to 30 more days.

The co-founder and vice president of Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM), Ismail Hameed has also expressed concern over possible extension of the State of Emergency.

Ismail tweeted last Monday that the tourism industry is fragile, and that extending the State of Emergency will result in millions of dollars in losses.

This will bring huge concerns to the tourism industry if the SOE is extended . Our market is v fragile and v competent within the region and alike destinations. Millions spent by the industry will go to waste. https://t.co/KiDdr1nUMO

— Ismail Hameed (@highriseissey) February 19, 2018