Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom remains hopeful despite a drop in tourist arrivals in the last two months.

While Maldives recorded 510,549 arrivals by June 30, it aims to welcome 1.5 million tourists this year.

The year started with strong arrivals’ number with nearly 100,000 recorded the first two months, with arrivals exceeding this in March. It fell to 91,000 in April and has been decreasing since possibly due to suspension on travelers from South Asia imposed after cases spiked in April.

Of the arrivals recorded so far in 2021, 92,103 tourists visited in January and 96,882 visitors were welcomed during February. Tourist arrivals escalated to 109,585 in the month that followed, making it the highest number of tourist arrivals recorded on a monthly basis since borders were reopened for international travel on 15 July 2020. In April, Maldives welcomed 91,200 tourists, followed by 64,613 in May and 56,166 visitors in June.

Admitting that the arrivals recorded in May and June were much lower than expected, Minister Mausoom said that it has started increasing since.

Noting that the challenges to travelling into the country are being solved slowly, the minister stressed that the work to introduce a Covid-19 vaccination certificate is ongoing as well.

Furthermore, he said that the 72 percent of tourism sector employees have been fully vaccinated as part of the work to ensure Maldives as a safe travel destination.

Dr. Mausoom also noted that the months from December 2020 to March 2021 were successful for the tourism sector, and expressed hope that things will return to this towards the end of the year.

While Maldives recorded 510,549 arrivals by June 30, this is an increase of 33.4 percent in comparison to the same period last year.

The tourism industry, Maldives’ most lucrative industry, took a toll last year as authorities were forced to close its borders from 27th March to 15th July following the Covid-19 outbreak. Currently, travelers from South Asia are banned into the country, however, this could resume as early as July 15 given the Covid-19 situation in the region in the upcoming days.