Tourist arrivals into Maldives so far in September see a 4.6 percent increase in comparison to the figure recorded in 2019.

The Ministry of Tourism, in its daily statistics publicized on Wednesday, revealed that a total of 84,129 tourists had arrived in the Maldives between September 1 – 21.

This is a 4.6 percent increase in comparison to the same period in 2019, and a 1,163.4 percent increase from the less than 7,000 arrivals recorded in 2020.

As the country inches closer to its tourist arrival target of 1.3 million for the year, by Tuesday, the country has welcomed a total of 840,095 tourists, which is a 110.6 percent increase from the total arrivals reported in 2020. However, it is a 30.8 percent decline from the over one million tourist arrivals recorded during 2019, a groundbreaking year for Maldives tourism.

September’s daily average for arrivals remain above 4,000. With the highest daily rise having been recorded at 4,862 on September 12 and the lowest at 2,985, recorded on September 17. On Sunday, Maldives welcomed 4,329 tourists, followed by 3,366 on Monday and 3,658 on Tuesday.

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 at 109,585 making it the second highest figure recorded so far in 2021. 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.

Maldives broke its monthly tourist arrivals records with figures topping 143,599 in August.

Tourist arrivals have begun to bounce back with the easing of travel restrictions as well as safety measures against Covid-19.

While Russia continued to dominate the Maldives tourism markets within the first few months of the year after arrivals from India started declining following the travel restrictions imposed on visitors from South Asia back in May as the Covid-19 situation in the region worsened, India has once again topped the charts and currently dominates the tourism markets contributing 22.7 percent of arrivals.

Russia follows closely at its tail contributing 20 percent. Third comes Germany contributing six percent of the total arrival figure.

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

Further, the ministry’s statistics reveal that 881 tourist accommodation establishments are currently operational with 51,028 beds, of which 36,912 are being operated across 156 resorts, 9,910 across 571 guesthouses, 2,846 in 144 safari vessels and the remaining 1,360 tourist beds and 10 hotels.

Maldives 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.

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