About 650,000 tourists are expected to visit Maldives this year, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr. Mahmood Shaugee said yesterday.

In a press conference on 3rd March, Dr. Shaugee was referring to the tourist arrival figures estimated by Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB). He went on to explain why MTPB was upbeat on the prospects for this year. Bookings are full up to May and tour operators inform there is a long waiting list, he said.

“Tour operators are complaining that beds are full and they are facing a tight situation. The resorts are booked till May,” he said. Tourism minister said he is scheduled to leave for Berlin next Monday with an MTPB delegation to take part in the ITB fair, where there will be opportunities to market Maldives tourism. Since this year Maldives is marking the 35th anniversary of tourism in the country, MTPB is planning to hold colorful events at the fair “We are planning to have a Maldivian evening at the fair. We will also celebrate the numerous awards Maldives received in 2006,” the Minister said.

Shaugee announced that MTPB plans to organize a cultural festival in the Maldives. “We have not had a cultural festival in Maldives yet. Most other countries have such festivals. It would be good to hold such and event during the peak season,” Dr. Shaugee said. MTPB estimates a budget of about US $ 350,000 for participating in the ITB fair. The total MTPB budget for the years is US $ 8 Million, Shaugee said.

64,570 tourists visited Maldives last January, an all time record for tourist arrivals in a single month.