The tourist arrival figure recorded so far in October, is an increase of 14.9 percent in comparison to the same period last year.
Latest daily statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday reveal that 51,075 tourists were welcomed between October 1 – 11. This is an increase of 14.9 percent from 2021 and a 3.1 percent increase from 2019.
A total of 1,241,695 tourists were welcomed between January 1 – October 11.
This is a 35.7 percent increase from the arrivals recorded in 2021. However, it is still a 4.6 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. 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, followed by 114,984 in September.
Daily arrivals this ongoing month is much higher than that of September’s.
Looking at the daily arrivals for October:
- 4,703 tourists were welcomed on October 1
- 5,417 tourists were welcomed on October 2
- 4,786 tourists were welcomed on October 3
- 4,579 tourists were welcomed on October 4
- 4,438 tourists were welcomed on October 5
- 4,421 tourists were welcomed on October 6
- 4,202 tourists were welcomed on October 7
- 4,823 tourists were welcomed on October 8
- 5,076 tourists were welcomed on October 9
- 4,215 tourists were welcomed on October 10
- 4,415 tourists were welcomed on October 11
Maldives welcomed its one millionth tourist of the year on August 13.
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 14.2 percent of the total arrival figure by October 11.
Second comes Russia, contributing 12.1 percent.
Coming in third is the United Kingdom contributing 10.9 percent.
Other top tourism markets so far in 2022 are:
- Germany contributing eight percent
- Italy contributing 5.7 percent
- United States contributing 4.7 percent
- France contributing 2.9 percent
- Spain contributing 2.6 percent
- Saudi Arabia contributing 2.2 percent
- Switzerland contributing 2.1 percent
Statistics go on to reveal that 1,189 tourist facilities are currently operational across Maldives including 164 resorts and marinas, 854 guesthouses, three homestay facilities, 155 liveaboard vessels and 13 hotels. Guesthouses are operational across 110 islands spanning 20 atolls.
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.
