Maldives has recorded over 35,000 tourist arrivals, within the first week of December.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, a total of 39,756 tourists had been welcomed into the Maldives by Thursday.

During the ongoing month, an average of 4,970 daily arrivals are being maintained, with their stay period recorded at an average of seven days.

December’s arrivals so far are an increase of 141.7 percent in comparison to the same period of 2020, however, it is a 0.5 percent decline from the 39,950 arrivals recorded in the same period in 2019.

The ministry’s statistics further revealed that tourist arrivals between January 1 – December 8 were at 1,197,409 which is a 151.8 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 23.8 percent in comparison to the arrivals recorded during the same period in 2019, a groundbreaking year for Maldives tourism.

With this, Maldives is inching closer to its tourist arrival target of 1.3 million.

Tourist arrivals have been bouncing back with the easing of travel restrictions as well as safety measures against Covid-19.

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 first broke its monthly tourist arrivals records with figures topping 143,599 in August. It now stands the second highest figure.

In September, Maldives welcomed 114,896 tourists.

The third highest figure was recorded in October, at 142,066 visitors.

A record-breaking total of 144,725 tourist arrivals were welcomed during November, making it the second highest monthly figure recorded so far this year.

Tourist arrivals are being maintained at an average of 3,350 on a daily basis this year, with their stay period recorded at an average of 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.

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 22.5 percent with 269,664 arrivals.

Russia follows closely at second contributing 17.4 percent with 208,351 tourists. Third comes Germany contributing 7.2 percent with 86,233 arrivals.

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

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.