The Maldivian government is aiming to strengthen tourism ties with China by establishing direct air links between the two countries by the year-end, Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer said on Tuesday.
Zameer said in an interview with Xinhua that China was one of the leading countries for Maldives' tourism but Chinese arrivals had seen a decline in recent months due to a state of emergency declared by President Abdulla Yameen in February.
Presently there are around 13 flights between China and Maldives weekly, but these destinations are connected through a transit airport.
"If there are no direct flights, it is not convenient for tourists. We have been trying hard to start operations with wide-body aircraft and we hope to start operations by the end of this year," the minister said.
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