Tourist arrivals for the year surpasses 400,000

The tourist arrival figure recorded so far this year has surpassed the 400,000-mark.

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

Statistics show that Maldives has welcomed a total of 417,070 tourists so far this year. As such, 172,499 tourists were welcomed in January and 177,914 tourists were welcomed in February.

So far in March, the country has welcomed 66,657 tourists.

According to the ministry, this figure is an increase of 24.9 percent from the 333,852 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant increase from the 223,710 arrivals recorded in 2021.

So far this month, the highest daily arrivals was recorded on 04 March, when more than 7,000 visitors were welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA).

The daily average for the year so far is at 6,727 and tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of eight days.

6,125 tourists were welcomed on March 1

6,019 tourists were welcomed on March 2

5,345 tourists were welcomed on March 3

7,381 tourists were welcomed on March 4

6,900 tourists were welcomed on March 5

5,712 tourists were welcomed on March 6

5,944 tourists were welcomed on March 7

5,664 tourists were welcomed on March 8

5,388 tourists were welcomed on March 9

5,308 tourists were welcomed on March 10

6,871 tourists were welcomed on March 11

According to the figures, Russia has topped the source market for the archipelago nation's tourism, accounting for 12.5 percent of the market share with 52,291 arrivals registered by March 11.

Although being placed third since the beginning of the year, India has risen to second place, contributing 10.9 percent with 45,438 arrivals. The neighboring country was the largest source market for Maldives tourism in 2022.

The United Kingdom is third, with 9.4 percent with 39,089 arrivals.

Italy contributing 9 percent with 37,394 arrivals

Germany contributing 6.7 percent with 27,955 arrivals

France contributing 4.5 percent with 18,744 arrivals

United States contributing 4 percent with 16,846 arrivals

China contributing 3 percent with 12,489 arrivals

Switzerland contributing 2.4 percent with 9,823 arrivals

Poland contributing 1.7 percent with 7,697 arrivals

Although Kazakhstan and South Korea were among the top source markets for Maldives tourism at the end of January, they have since been dropped from the list.

2020 was a slow year for Maldives tourism due to several safety precautions implemented in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, as well as border closure. However, tourist arrivals began to rebound in 2021, with the relaxation of travel restrictions and the implementation of safety measures against Covid-19.

The Maldives saw 555,494 visitor arrivals in 2020, a significant decrease from the previous year's 1,702,887 visitors. Maldives met its 2021 tourist arrival target in late December, welcoming a total of 1,321,932 visitors before the end of the year.

In 2022, Maldives welcomed 1,675,285 tourists. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in his presidential address on 3 February 2022, revealed that Maldives aimed to welcome 1.6 million tourists in 2022. The island nation reached its target with the combined efforts of relevant government agencies, the private sector, and industry stakeholders.

In his presidential address this year, delivered at the People’s Majlis on 6 February 2023, President Solih stated that the Maldives will be welcoming 3.5 million tourists, annually, by 2028.

Describing the past three years as the most challenging years the Maldivian economy has faced, he noted that the Covid-19 pandemic brought a complete halt to the Maldivian economy.

The president went on to state that the administration can show results based on mathematical results on the work done and what remains to be done, adding that data demonstrate how well the Maldivian economy is doing.

Highlighting that the Maldives will be welcoming 3.5 million tourists annually by 2028, President Solih stated that this will be the result of all of the commenced, ongoing and completed developmental projects of the administration.

He added that the development projects of his administration will take the Maldives’ tourism industry to new heights.

The President said that this will double the country’s economic growth, remarking that the total productivity of the country, which was at MVR 81 billion in 2018, can be doubled and increased to MVR 177 billion in 10 years.

The golden jubilee year of tourism held a record of milestones related to the tourism sector. As such, Maldives was crowned the World’s Leading Destination three times in a row last year.

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

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.