82,861 tourist arrivals have been recorded so far in October.

The Ministry of Tourism revealed that the arrivals figure for the ongoing month exceeded 82,000 between October 1 – October 19.

October’s arrivals are a 589.9 percent increase from the arrivals recorded during the same period in 2020, however, it is a 3.1 percent decline in comparison to the amount recorded in 2019.

The latest statistics revealed that the total tourist arrivals figure from January 1 to October 19 had reached 953,723, which Maldives is inching closer to its tourist arrivals target for the ongoing year.

As the year draws to an end, average arrivals currently stand at 3,266 per day, with their stay period recorded at eight days. In October, the total of daily arrivals remains at an average of 4,361.

Maldives recorded a record-breaking 6,197 arrival figure on Saturday, which is the highest number of visitors to have been recorded so far on a daily basis since borders were reopened last year.

Total arrivals for the year are a 130.5 percent increase from the arrivals recorded in 2020, a sluggish year for Maldives tourism due to border-closure. However, 2021’s arrivals so far are a decrease of 28.7 percent in comparison to the over one million arrivals recorded during the same period in 2019, a groundbreaking year for Maldives tourism.

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. 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. In September, Maldives welcomed 114,896 tourists, making it the second highest figure recorded so far in 2021.

At a time the Minister of Tourism had revealed that arrivals from India are expected to grow to top the markets by the end of the year, India remains top source market for Maldives tourism currently dominating 23 percent of total arrivals.

Russia follows closely at second contributing 18.9 percent of the arrivals. Third comes Germany contributing 6.7 percent.

Maldives currently has 893 operational tourist facilities, of which 157 are resorts, 582 are guesthouses, 144 are liveaboard vessels and 10 are hotels.

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

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.