Russia continues to dominate Maldives tourism market as arrivals grow

Russia continues to dominate the Maldives tourism markets as the country welcomes over 665,000 visitors this year.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, of the 665,159 tourist arrivals recorded from January 1 – August 11, 149,731 were recorded from Russia, which continues to contribute the highest arrival numbers since arrivals from India, the top source market recorded by the Maldives since border reopening, started declining following the travel restrictions imposed on visitors from South Asia back in May as the Covid-19 situation in the region worsened.

Tourist arrivals recorded so far this year is an increase of 71.8 percent in comparison to the same period last year. It is however, a 36.7 percent plunge in comparison to the over one million arrivals of 2019, a groundbreaking year for Maldives tourism.

Statistics indicate that an average of 4,799 visitors are arriving in the Maldives daily during the ongoing month, with their stay period recorded at an average of nine days.

Of the total arrivals figure 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.

July saw 101,818 visitors welcomed into the Maldives, making it the second highest figure recorded so far in 2021.

52,792 tourist arrivals have been recorded between August 1 – 11 which is an increase of 1,935.9 percent in comparison to the same period last year.

Russia currently contributes 22.5 percent of arrivals and was ranked sixth in Maldives top 10 tourism markets before the Covid-19 pandemic started sweeping across the globe last year.

Russia is followed closely by India making up 18.1 percent with 120,119 arrivals recorded by Wednesday. Third comes Germany contributing 5.7 percent with 37,598.

United States, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Spain, United Kingdom 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 in the last few months.

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

While the country has already surpassed last year's total, it aims to welcome 1.3 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.