May's tourist arrival figure sees 83 percent increase from past year

Tourist arrivals recorded so far in May 2022 have seen an 83 percent increase from the same period of 2021.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism in its latest daily statistics, publicized on Monday.

Statistics revealed that so far in the Golden Jubilee Year of tourism, Maldives has welcomed a total of 669,413 tourists. This figure was recorded between January 1 – May 22.

Of the total arrival count, 131,764 tourists were welcomed during January and 149,008 arrivals were recorded in February, followed by 150,739 arrivals in March and 145,279 in April.

So far in May, Maldives has welcomed 92,614 tourists which is a growth of 83.3 percent compared to the arrivals recorded in the same period in 2021 and a 21.6 percent growth from the arrivals recorded in the same period in 2019.

In addition to this, the total arrival figure so far this year is a 52 percent increase compared to the arrivals recorded in 2021. It is however, a 7.3 percent decrease from the arrivals recorded in the same period of 2019.

The statistics go on to indicate that tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of eight days this promising year, with daily arrivals being maintained at an average of 4,714. The daily arrival average remains at 4,210 this month.

Further, statistics go on to reveal that India has once again become the top tourist market for Maldives, contributing 13.5 percent of the total arrival figure by May 22.

By May 18, 86,358 arrivals were recorded from India according to weekly statistics.

Second comes the United Kingdom, contributing 12.5 percent by May 22, with 82,325 arrivals by May 18.

Russia which had maintained its position as the top source market for Maldives tourism in the past, now ranks in the third place, contributing 9.5 percent with 62,545 arrivals by May 18.

Although Ukraine was also included among the top 10 markets for Maldives tourism earlier, it has since been replaced. Arrivals from Ukraine have been plummeting due to the ongoing war.  

Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom earlier revealed that Maldives aims to win the World Leading Destination Award during the golden jubilee year as well and expressed hope to reach newer heights in the tourism success story with the introduction of Homestay tourism.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in his presidential address on February 3, revealed that Maldives aims to welcome 1.6 million tourists this year.

During 2020, Maldives recorded 555,494 tourist arrivals, which was a drastic plunge from the previous year’s 1,702,887 arrivals. Maldives met its tourist arrival target for 2021 in late December and welcomed a total of 1,321,932 tourists by the end of the year.

It has been 50 years since zealous travelers have been visiting the Maldives which has been drawing in visitors with its picturesque beauty for years. Maldives marks 50 years in 2022 since the tourism industry’s inception in 1972.