Maldives recorded the second highest tourist arrival numbers so far in 2021, during July.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, July saw 101,818 visitors welcomed at Velana International Airport, which is a significant increase from the 1,752 arrivals recorded during July 2020. This is the second highest figure recorded so far in 2021, since March, during which tourist arrivals escalated to 109,585.

In July, an average of 3,284 visitors were arriving in the Maldives daily, staying for an average of nine days. The highest number were recorded during the last week of July.

A total of 621,956 tourists have been welcomed in the Maldives between January 1 – August 2.

Of the over 621,000 arrivals recorded so far this year, 92,103 tourist arrivals were recorded during January and 96,882 visitors were welcomed during February. Arrivals in March were the highest recorded on a monthly basis since borders were reopened for international travel on 15 July 2020. In April Maldives welcomed 91,200 arrivals, followed by 64,613 visitors in May. The number dropped to 56,166 during the month that followed, which the ministry believed to be linked to the restrictions and precautionary measures implemented in the face of a worsening Covid-19 situation as a fourth and more infectious wave was confirmed in early May.

On the first day of the ongoing month, 5,424 visitors were welcomed, followed by 4,165 visitors on Monday.

Tourist arrivals recorded so far this year are an increase of 61.5 percent in comparison to the same period last year.

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 23.2 percent.

Russia is followed closely by India making up 17.1 percent. Third comes Germany contributing 5.6 percent.

Ukraine, United States, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, Spain and France are also considered some of the biggest tourist markets for the Maldives.

Authorities halted issuing on arrival visas to travelers from South Asia in May. This was resumed on July 15 as announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Tourist arrivals have begun to bounce back with the easing of travel restrictions as well as safety measures against Covid-19, with Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom even revealing that India is expected to be the country’s top source market by the end of the year, despite a drastic drop in arrivals from the neighboring country.

During 2020, Maldives recorded 555,494 tourist arrivals, which was a drastic plunge from the previous year’s groundbreaking 1,702,887 arrivals.

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.