By China’s decision to offer visa-free travel to citizens of 63 countries, including the Maldives, is being lauded as a significant step to strengthen global connectivity and enhance international tourism. This new policy, effective December 2024, allows travelers from these nations to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa.
For the Maldives, this development presents an exciting opportunity for cultural exchange and trade. Maldivians can now explore China’s rich heritage and modern attractions with greater ease, paving the way for strengthened people-to-people connections.
Maldives’ tourism stakeholders also view this move as a potential boost for mutual tourism between the two countries. China has historically been one of the largest source markets for Maldivian tourism, and this initiative could inspire reciprocal benefits. Maldivian tour operators are optimistic that the visa-free policy will encourage Chinese tourists to rediscover the Maldives as a prime travel destination.
With China emerging as a hub for cultural and technological tourism, the Maldives looks forward to fostering deeper ties with one of its key international partners.