New waves of Chinese tourists are expected in Maldives

The island nation of Maldives offers visitors a variety of activities, such as fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving. It has become one of the most popular destinations for Chinese travelers.[Photo provided to China Daily]

More than 2,000 individual visitors signed up for December visits through Ctrip.

"We ensure that our tourists are well taken care of because they're our bread and butter," Maldivian ambassador to China Mohamed Faisal says,"it's like business as usual."

The Maldivian side is working with such major Chinese travel agencies as Ctrip, Tuniu and China CYTS Tours Holding.

China is also supporting many of the 60 ongoing tourism-infrastructure projects, including a bridge to connect the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to the capital, Male, by 2018.The bridge will enable visitors to drive to Male in three minutes, avoiding delays caused by turbulent seas.