More than 45,000 tourists welcomed so far in June

More than 45,000 tourists have been welcomed so far in June.

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

As such, the ministry revealed that a total of 45,158 visitor-arrivals were recorded at Velana International Airport (VIA) between June 1 – 12.

The arrival figure for the ongoing month is a 0.7 percent increase compared to the 44,849 arrivals recorded in the same period last year and much higher than the 21,362 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2021.

Statistics go on to reveal that Maldives has welcomed a total of 854,409 visitors since the new year began.

As such, 172,499 tourists were welcomed during January, 177,915 in February, 173,514 in March, 164,357 in April and 120,960 in May.

This year’s arrival figure is an increase of 14.4 percent from the 747,183 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant growth from the 475,745 arrivals recorded in 2021.

The daily average for this year is at 5,242 and tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of seven days.

The highest daily arrivals so far this ongoing month, was recorded on June 3.

Statistics go on to reveal that India has once again become the top tourist market for Maldives. The neighboring country overtook Russia, which was the frontrunner among the tourism markets with the highest number of tourist arrivals into the first few months of the year. 2022 ended with the neighboring country as the top source market for Maldives tourism.

Statistics revealed that India contributes 11.8 percent of the market share with 100,915 arrivals recorded from the country by June 12 while Russia toppled to the second spot with 100,247, which is 11.7 percent of the arrivals.

United Kingdom sits in third contributing 8.9 percent with 75,956 arrivals.

The Ministry of Finance earlier revealed that Maldives is expected to record 1.9 million tourist arrivals by year-end.

The government launched its fifth tourism master plan which places high priority in achieving the target noted including increasing bed nights. The tourism master plan carries the purpose of developing the tourism sector and increasing services provided to tourists by the country.

The government also plans to expand tourism across the scatter of islands comprising the Maldives.

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.

Tourism was introduced in the Maldives in 1972. 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.