Maldives plans new flight from Mumbai to Male

Bangalore, Jul 12(UNI) Maldives Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mahmoodh Shaugee has said that a new flight would be introduced between Mumbai to Maldives capital Male, which is witnessing a boom in tourist arrivals from India.

Speaking to reporters here last night, he said his department had already finalised a deal with an airline company and the new service would begin by September.

Last year more than 15,000 tourists from India had visited Maldives, he said adding that it would be on the rise following its plan to introduce some India-specific packages.

He said that Maldives had been a favourite tourism destination for Indian tourist besides being a hotspot for shooting Bollywood movies. Maldives Tourism was promoting the concept of 'One Resort with One Island' which was proving popular.

He said Bangalore city could emerge as a gateway for Indian Ocean countries with the opening of the new international airport. It also had the potential of becoming the hub of travel trade in India, he said.

Promoters of tourism in Maldives are looking at exploitation corporate tourism apart from the regular leisure travellers, he added.

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