Despite missing captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains suspended following a red card in the loss to Ireland, Portugal showed remarkable cohesion and attacking depth. Young midfielder João Neves and experienced playmaker Bruno Fernandes each scored a hat-trick, underlining both the team’s rising talent and the leadership in the absence of their iconic skipper.

Portugal started aggressively, opening the scoring early before Armenia briefly equalised. Once settled, Roberto Martínez’s men regained control and pressed relentlessly for the remainder of the match, turning the contest into a showcase of tactical precision and offensive dominance.

Following the final whistle, Martínez praised his players’ mentality, emphasising that the victory “proves Portugal can succeed with collective strength, not just individual brilliance.” His remarks subtly referenced the ongoing discussion about Portugal’s dependence on Ronaldo—especially after the star’s sending-off during the Ireland match, a moment that shocked both supporters and analysts.

With automatic qualification secured, the Portugal national football team can now shift their focus toward tournament preparation, squad optimisation, and resolving the uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo’s suspension, which could impact the opening stages of the World Cup.

For now, however, Portugal’s statement win has reaffirmed their status as one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking sides—powered by a blend of world-class veterans and a new wave of rising stars.

The inaugural flight in this renewed service touched down at Velana International Airport at approximately 1930hrs on Friday, with 209 passengers on board.

The airline has scheduled three weekly direct flights to Male’, operating on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

To mark the occasion, Velana International Airport organized a special ceremony to welcome both the airline and its passengers. This event saw the attendance of high-ranking representatives from the Tourism Ministry and the China Embassy in the Maldives.

With the return of Hong Kong Airlines, there are now four airlines facilitating flights between China and the Maldives: China Eastern Airlines, Beijing Capital, Sichuan Airlines, and Hong Kong Airlines.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and his cabinet have expressed their commitment to boosting the number of tourists from China. Before the pandemic, China was the leading country in terms of tourist arrivals to the Maldives.

The President is determined to restore China’s position as the top source of tourists for the Maldives.

The Maldives, with a history rich in diverse cultural influences, has 200 inhabited islands out of its 1,200. Despite its natural allure, a United Nations development delegation in the 1960s deemed the islands unsuitable for tourism, citing a lack of infrastructure and international accessibility. The small airfield on Hulhule’ Island, barely a commercial airport, saw minimal traffic due to these limitations.

The turning point came in 1972 when Italian travel agent George Corbin and Ahmed “Kerafa” Naseem from the Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka collaborated to open a resort. They scouted various islands with Hussain “Champa” Afeef and Mohamed Umar “MU” Manik, eventually selecting Vihamanaafushi due to its proximity to the airport and Male’. While Corbin sourced equipment from Singapore, Naseem, Afeef, and Manik spearheaded the construction, naming the resort Kurumba Island Resort, inspired by the Dhivehi term for young coconut. The first guests, including prominent journalists, arrived on February 16, 1972, predominantly from Italy.

MU Maniku reflected, “Initially, the Maldives was isolated, with only basic communication means and no modern infrastructure. Even UNDP specialists doubted tourism could succeed here.”

Following Kurumba, Bandos Island Resort opened, marking the start of a flourishing tourism industry, encapsulating the “one island, one resort” philosophy.

Today, with over 160 island resorts, tourism is a cornerstone of the Maldivian economy, complementing fisheries. Between 2018 and 2021, nearly 50 new resorts opened, diversifying tourist activities. Despite a pandemic-induced setback, the industry rebounded, breaking records annually and earning global accolades, including the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination award for three consecutive years.

The Maldives is also pioneering in ecotourism, addressing climate change impacts such as rising sea levels and coral bleaching. Resorts like Gili Lankanfushi and Soneva Fushi are leading in eco-friendly initiatives, preserving the marine ecosystem and minimizing energy use.

The midmarket tourism sector has grown significantly, with the first guesthouses opening in 2010 on Maafushi Island. Offering an immersive local experience, these guesthouses allow tourists to engage with the Maldivian community. As of late October 2022, 808 guesthouses were registered.

From a collection of islands with no foreign investment 52 years ago, the Maldives has transformed into a tropical paradise with private resorts and local guesthouses. The allure of the Maldives remains strong, and industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on preserving its natural beauty while expanding tourist facilities.