India remains top source market for Maldives tourism as arrivals from the neighboring country exceed 250,000 by Wednesday.

As the year draws to an end and at a time the Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom had revealed that arrivals from India are expected to grow to top the markets by the end of the year, Maldives recorded a total of 252,551 arrivals from India between January 1 – November 24.

India, also the top source market of Maldivian tourism through 2020, currently contributes 22.4 percent of the total arrivals currently.

Russia follows closely at second contributing 18 percent of the arrivals, with 202,277 arrivals by November 24. Third comes Germany contributing 7.2 percent with 81,223 arrivals.

By Wednesday, Maldives had welcomed a total of 1,126,539 arrivals, which is a 150.6 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 25.1 percent in comparison to the over one million arrivals recorded during the same period in 2019, a groundbreaking year for Maldives tourism.

Tourist arrivals are being maintained at an average of 3,435 on a daily basis this year, with their stay period recorded at an average of eight days.

113,611 visitors have been welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA) so far in November.

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 third highest figure recorded so far in 2021. The second highest figure was recorded in October, at 142,066 visitors.

Based on the tourism ministry’s statistics, an average of 4,734 tourists are visiting the Maldives every day this month, with their average stay period recorded at eight days.

Maldives crossed the one millionth tourist arrival target for the year on October 29.

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.

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.