Tourist arrivals for 2023 surpass 900,000-mark

The tourist arrival figure for the ongoing year has surpassed the 900,000-mark.

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

Statistics revealed that Maldives has welcomed a total of 904,980 visitors since the new year began.

Monthly figures show that 172,499 tourists were welcomed during January, 177,915 in February, 173,514 in March, 164,357 in April and 120,959 in May.

Between June 1 – 25, a total of 95,736 visitors were recorded at Velana International Airport (VIA).

The arrival figure for the ongoing month is a 3.5 percent surge compared to the 92,519 arrivals recorded in the same period last year and much higher than the 45,984 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2021.

The daily average for this year is at 5,142 and tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of seven days.

This year’s arrival figure is an increase of 13.9 percent from the 794,853 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant growth from the 500,367 arrivals recorded in 2021.

The highest daily arrivals so far this ongoing month, was recorded on June 24, with more than 5,000 arrivals.

Statistics go on to reveal that India has 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 107,117 arrivals recorded from the country by June 25 while Russia toppled to the second spot with 106,851, which is 11.8 percent of the arrivals.

United Kingdom sits in third contributing 8.7 percent with 79,021 arrivals.

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.