October's tourist arrivals surpass 90,000-mark

The tourist arrivals figure recorded so far in October has surpassed the 90,000-mark.

According to the latest weekly statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, a total of 91,628 tourist arrivals have been recorded between October 1 – 21.

October’s arrivals are a 605 percent increase from the previous year, however, it is a 4.4 percent decrease from the same period in 2019.

The total tourist arrivals figure from January 1 to October 21 had reached 962,490 by Thursday, 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 3,274 per day, with their stay period recorded at eight days. In October, a total of 4,363 tourists are arriving on a daily basis.

Total arrivals for the year are a 132 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 28.6 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 22.8 percent of total arrivals with 219,381 arrivals by Tuesday.

Russia follows closely at second contributing 18.8 percent of the arrivals, with 180,517 arrivals by October 19. Third comes Germany contributing 6.7 percent with 64,200 arrivals.

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.