Tourist arrival figure surpasses 621,000-mark

The tourist arrival figure recorded so far this year has surpassed the 621,000-mark.

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

Statistics show that Maldives has welcomed a total of 621,093 tourists so far this year. As such, 172,499 tourists were welcomed in January and 177,914 tourists were welcomed in February. In March, the country welcomed 173,514 tourists.

So far in April, the country has welcomed 97,165 tourists.

According to the ministry, this figure is an increase of 18.8 percent from the 523,004 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant increase from the 358,495 arrivals recorded in 2021.

So far this month, the highest daily arrivals was recorded on 02 April, when more than 7,000 visitors were welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA).

The daily average for the year so far is at 5,751 and tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of eight days.

According to the figures, Russia has topped the source market for the archipelago nation's tourism, accounting for 12.1 percent of the market share with 74,913 arrivals registered by 19 April.

Although being placed third since the beginning of the year, India has risen to second place, contributing 10.6 percent with 65,929 arrivals. The neighboring country was the largest source market for Maldives tourism in 2022.

The United Kingdom is third, with 9.8 percent with 60,870 arrivals.

Although Austria was among the top source markets of Maldives tourism earlier, the country has been replaced by South Korea since.

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.