Tourist arrival figure so far this year, sees 37.7 percent growth from 2021

The tourist arrival figure so far in 2022, has seen an increase of 37.7 percent, compared to the figure recorded in the same period last year.

Latest weekly statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism reveal that a total of 1,157,183 tourists were welcomed between January 1 – September 21.

This is a 37.7 percent increase from the arrivals recorded in 2021. However, it is still a 4.7 percent drop compared to the arrivals recorded in 2019.

This means that Maldives is inching closer to its tourist arrival target for the promising year. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in his presidential address on February 3, revealed that Maldives aims to welcome 1.6 million tourists this year.

The total arrival figure so far this year, includes 131,764 tourists welcomed during January, 149,008 tourist arrivals during February, 150,739 tourists welcomed during March and 145,280 tourists welcomed during April.

Further, 125,522 tourists were welcomed during May followed by 110,889 tourists in June and 133,561 tourists welcomed during July.

In August, Maldives welcomed 131,863 tourists.

So far in September, Maldives has welcomed 78,548 tourists. This figure is a 2.5 percent drop from the arrivals recorded in 2019 and a 6.6 percent decline from the figure recorded in the same period last 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, with the arrival of a Czech Republic national.

Even though the current arrival figures are quite promising, the figures are yet to match those of pre Covid times.

Figures reveal that India remains the top source market for the archipelago nation’s tourism.

Even though Russia had maintained its position as the top source market for Maldives tourism in the past, India has once again become the top tourist market for Maldives, contributing 14.1 percent of the total arrival figure by September 21, with 163,717 arrivals.

Second comes Russia, contributing 11.9 percent with 137,501 arrivals.

Coming in third is the United Kingdom contributing 11.2 percent with 129,568 arrivals.

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.  

2020 was a sluggish year for Maldives tourism due to the numerous safety precautions implemented in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, alongside border closure. Tourist arrivals began to bounce back with the easing of travel restrictions as well as safety measures against Covid-19 in 2021.

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.

Tourism was introduced in the Maldives in 1972.