Maldives is inching closer to its tourist arrival target of 1.3 million as the country records 1,092,105 arrivals so far.
According to the latest figures publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals between January 1 – November 17 were at 1,092,105 which is a 147.6 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 25.8 percent in comparison to the arrivals recorded during the same period in 2019, a groundbreaking year for Maldives tourism.
Between November 1 – 17, arrivals surpassed the 78,224 arrivals recorded in the same period in 2019, and sat at 79,177 by Wednesday’s end. The same period in 2020 saw 17,794 arrivals.
The tourist arrivals figure recorded so far in November 2021 is a 1.2 percent increase from the same period in 2019 and a 345 percent increase from the previous year.
A daily average of 4,657 tourists are visiting Maldives this month, with their stay period recorded at an average of eight days.
November’s arrivals are:
- 4,687 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 1
- 4,866 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 2
- 4,676 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 3
- 4,399 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 4
- 4,555 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 5
- 5,298 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 6
- 5,873 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 7
- 4,311 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 8
- 4,331 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 9
- 4,186 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 10
- 4,277 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 11
- 4,633 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 12
- 5,134 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 13
- 5,606 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 14
- 4,232 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 15
Maldives crossed the one millionth tourist arrival target for the year on October 29.
Tourist arrivals are being maintained at an average of 3,402 on a daily basis this year, with their stay period recorded at an average of eight days.
A colorful celebration was held at the airport to welcome the one millionth tourist of the year. Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom revealed that yet another page of the remarkable success story of Maldives tourism had been turned with the milestone. He added that reaching the milestone two months ahead was a remarkable achievement, further adding that the success would not have been possible without the support from the government, industry partners and employees as well as health professionals, local councils, related ministries and authorities.
Of the total arrivals figure recorded so far this year:
- 92,103 tourist arrivals were recorded during January
- 96,882 tourist arrivals were recorded during February
- 109,585 tourist arrivals were recorded during March
- 91,200 tourist arrivals were recorded during April
- 64,613 tourist arrivals were recorded during May
- 56,166 tourist arrivals were recorded during June
- 101,818 tourist arrivals were recorded during July
- 143,599 tourist arrivals were recorded during August
- 114,896 tourist arrivals were recorded during September
- 142,066 tourist arrivals were recorded during October
At a time the tourism minister 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 22.4 percent with 244,928 arrivals.
Russia follows closely at second contributing 18.2 percent with 198,775 tourists. Third comes Germany contributing 7.2 percent with 78,237 arrivals.
Other top tourism markets so far in 2021 are:
- U.S. contributing 4.1 percent with 44,916 arrivals,
- United Kingdom contributing 3.6 percent with 39,050 arrivals,
- Saudi Arabia contributing 3.2 percent with 34,847 arrivals,
- Spain contributing 2.9 percent with 31,974 arrivals,
- Ukraine contributing 2.8 percent with 30,936 arrivals,
- France contributing two percent with 22,288 arrivals,
- Kazakhstan contributing 1.9 percent with 20,393 arrivals.
During 2020, Maldives recorded 555,494 tourist arrivals, which was a drastic plunge from the previous year’s 1,702,887 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.
