Tourist arrivals for ongoing month surpass 67,000-mark

Tourist arrivals for the ongoing month have surpassed the 67,000-mark.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism in its latest daily statistics, publicized earlier this week.

As such, statistics revealed that a total of 67,366 tourists were welcomed between August 1 – 14.

Further, between January 1 – August 15 this year the arrival figure sits at 1,014,138, with which Maldives is inching closer to its tourist arrival target for the promising year.

Maldives welcomed its one millionth tourist of the year on August 13. The government reached the one-million arrivals milestone for the promising year on Friday, with the arrival of a Czech Republic national, who is on vacation with her partner.

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

The arrival figure within this period saw an increase of 49.1 percent compared to the same period of 2021. It is however, a decline of 4.9 percent compared to the figures recorded in 2019.

131,764 tourists were welcomed during January and 149,008 arrivals were recorded in February, followed by 150,739 arrivals in March and 145,280 during April.

In May, Maldives welcomed 125,522 tourists, while June saw 110,889 tourists arriving in the Maldives followed by 133,561 arrivals in July.

Even though the current arrival figures are quite promising, the figures are yet to match those of pre Covid times. As such ongoing month’s figure is a 0.9 percent drop compared to the arrivals recorded in 2021 and a 5.4 percent drop from the figure 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 4,487. The daily average for the ongoing month, is at 4,812.

Figures go on to reveal that India continues to top the Maldives tourist arrival markets, halfway into 2022.

As such, the ministry revealed that although Russia had maintained its position as the top source market for Maldives tourism in the past year, India has once again become the top tourist market for Maldives, contributing 14.3 percent of the total arrival figure by August 14.

Second comes the United Kingdom, contributing 11.6 percent.

Coming in third is Russia contributing 11 percent.

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.  

Speaking to media at the ceremony held at Velana International Airport (VIA) to welcome the millionth tourist, State Minister of Tourism Dr. Ahmed Salih revealed that the ministry predicts to reach the tourist arrival target for this year, within the upcoming three months.

The CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Thoyyib Mohamed remarked on this significant accomplishment, applauding all involved in the efforts to make the milestone possible despite the many obstacles in the face of the global crises.

2020 was a sluggish year for Maldives tourism due to border-closure. 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.

Maldives marks 50 years in 2022 since the tourism industry’s inception in 1972.