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]

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.

The airport's annual capacity will be expanded to accommodate 7 million passengers that year.

The government hopes to by then lure 1.5 million Chinese annually.

"We have planned major events internationally and locally," Haris says.

The country staged road shows in Shanghai, Zhengzhou and Beijing to introduce new sites in late December.

More will be hosted across China this year, as will surf and photography competitions. The Maldives will also upgrade its Chinese-language tourism website.

Airports and resorts now offer Chinese-language services and UnionPay banking.