Maldives has recorded over 40,000 tourist arrivals so far in May.

According to the latest statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism on Monday, a total of 40,886 visitors were welcomed at Velana International Airport between May 1 – May 16.

This, the ministry revealed, is 29 percent less than the number of arrivals recorded the same period in 2019, where 57,601 arrivals were recorded.

Maldives tourist arrivals so far this ongoing year have topped 430,656, which is a 12.5 percent increase from the previous year. Owing to the closing down of borders on 27 March 2020, the number of tourist arrivals recorded from January 1 – May 16 last year was slightly lower. As such, 382,775 visitors were recorded within the period.

According to statistics, visitors are staying for an average of nine days and an average of 3,167 tourists are visiting the Maldives every day.

Maldives celebrated over 100,000 tourist arrivals during March, the highest monthly arrivals recorded since borders were reopened for international travel on 15 July 2020. As such, 109,585 tourist visited Maldives during March. During January 2021, Maldives welcomed 92,103 visitors. The number escalated to 96,882 in February 2021 and 91,200 visitors were welcomed during April.

The highest arrivals this ongoing month was recorded on May 1 at 3,815 visitors. The lowest arrivals were recorded at 1,658 on May 6.

With arrivals from India, the top source market recorded by the Maldives since border reopening, declining due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country, Russia currently dominates the arrival market contributing 22.8 percent with 95,670 arrivals by May 12. Russia was ranked sixth before the Covid-19 pandemic began sweeping across the globe and is followed closely by India making up 20.7 percent with 89,175 arrivals by May 12. Germany jumped from the fourth rank to third over the past few days, contributing 5.3 percent of the market share with 22,372 arrivals by May 12.

Ukraine, Kazakhstan, United States, United Kingdom, Romania, France and Czech Republic are also considered some of the biggest tourist markets for the Maldives.

Statistics go on to reveal that a total of 723 tourist accommodation establishments are currently operational across Maldives with 47,391 beds. Of this, 422 are guesthouses where 7,692 beds are being operated, 154 are resorts where 35,640 beds are operational and 2,699 beds in operation in 137 liveaboard vessels. Further, 1,360 beds are also in operation in 10 hotels.

Amid the worsening Covid-19 situation across the South Asian region, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) recently suspended tourist visas for travelers from South Asian countries to the Maldives temporarily, as a safety measure against the spread of the fatal infection.

The ministry boasts increasing tourist arrivals, which were snail-paced into the beginning of the country’s tourism-revival journey. As such, an optimistic tourism ministry revealed that the source markets are recovering, with “impressive” results.

Maldives aims to welcome 1.5 million tourist arrivals this ongoing year and is gearing up to mark 50 years since the tourism industry’s inception, in 2022, which is to be celebrated as the golden year of tourism in Maldives.