Maldives has been awarded the ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

In a press release on Tuesday, the Ministry of Tourism revealed that the stamp was granted in recognition of the government’s efforts in implementing enhance health and safety measures, in line with the WTTC global ‘Safe Travels’ protocol and creating a safe, gradual plan by rebuilding confidence among travelers and ensuring a coordinated approach in restarting our tourism industry

Endorsed by the World Tourism Organization and more than 200 travel companies, the ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ aims to provide and ensure travelers of enhanced standards of hygiene are in place and the assurance that they can once again experience safe travels, reads the statement.

Designed to address the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and similar outbreaks, the ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ is the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for travel and tourism.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which highly prioritizes the safety and hygiene of travelers, also embraced the WTTC ‘Safe Travels Stamp’.

Major destinations globally have signed up for the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp since it was launched.

The borders of the island nation were opened for international travel on July 15 after nearly four months since it was closed down on March 27.

A recent regulation announced on September 10, mandates visitors to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test to the immigration upon arrival.

Tourism contributes over a quarter of the country’s GDP and is the source of well over two-thirds of foreign currency to the country. Every other job-creating and revenue-generating activity in the country is either directly or indirectly dependent on the tourism industry. The industry came to a complete standstill once borders were closed down and the country saw a major reduction in tourist arrivals despite having aimed to break the tourist arrival record of 2019.

As part of the easing plan, resorts and liveaboard vessels were given the green light to resume operations in July, and guesthouses in residential islands outside of the greater Male’ region are scheduled to reopen on October 15.