Record-breaking 7,621 tourists welcomed into Maldives in a day

Maldives has broken its daily tourist arrivals record once again, with arrivals having topped 7,600 on 26 December, 2022.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, a record-breaking total of 7,621 tourist arrivals were welcomed on 26 December, 2022.

The ministry’s figures reveal that Maldives has welcomed a total of 1,671,628 tourists between January 1 – December 26. This is an increase of 26.8 percent from 2021 but a 1.8 percent decline from 2019.

December’s figures are an increase of 9.5 percent from the previous year and a 7 percent increase from 2019’s figure in the same period.

The daily average for this year remains at 4,913 and tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of eight days.

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 131,862 tourists, followed by 111,986 in September.

In October, the archipelago nation observed 153,737 arrivals.

Maldives welcomed a total of 146,886 tourists during November.

So far in December, 136,839 tourists have been welcomed.

The statistics go on to reveal that India remains the top source market for the archipelago nation’s tourism as the year draws closer to ending.

As such, India is the top tourist market for Maldives, contributing 14.5 percent of the total arrival figure as of December 26.

Second comes Russia, contributing 12 percent, followed by United Kingdom contributing 10.7 percent.

Maldives achieved its tourist arrival target for 2022, with the arrival of 1.6 millionth tourist, on 19 December.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in his address at the opening of the Parliament for the year on February 3, 2022, announced the administration's ambition to attract over 1.6 million tourists this year.

The Maldives reached the target with the combined efforts of relevant government agencies, the private sector, and industry stakeholders.

The golden jubilee year of tourism holds a record for milestones related to the tourism sector. As such, Maldives has been crowned the World’s Leading Destination thrice in a row.

Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom notes that this quick rebound of Maldives tourism to pre-pandemic level is a clear indication of the visionary leadership of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, sound tourism policies and the strong partnership between the government and the private sector.

In 2021, the Maldives achieved its target of attracting 1.3 million tourists two months before the year's end.