Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed has announced plans to begin flights from Maldives to three major cities of neighboring India in the government’s efforts to expand the country’s tourism industry.

Speaking to press after returning from his official trip to Spain, Minister Waheed revealed that work is currently underway to begin direct flights to India’s capital, New Delhi, business hub Mumbai and IT hub Bangalore.

Although this has been confirmed by the minister, the government is yet to reveal details of the project.

This, the minister said, is the result of the freshly reinvigorated relations between Maldives and India since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed office and the close ties between the president and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shedding light on the “Tourism Week” to be held during 2020, Waheed stated that a team of famous stars are set to visit Maldives to play a special football match.

Further details of said matches will be revealed within January 2020, said Waheed.

In addition, the minister stated that the government is not far from reaching the set 1.5 million tourists’ goal for this year. As such, the goal will be reached by 24 November, said the minister. The goal is expected to exceed following the hike in tourist arrivals in the country this year.