Tourist arrivals surpasses total arrival of 2021

The tourist arrival figure recorded so far in 2023 has surpassed the total tourist arrival figure of 2021.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism through its latest daily tourist arrival statistics publicized on Monday.

Statistics reveal that a total of 1,331,310 tourists have visited the Maldives by 24 September, 2023. For the same period of 2022, the tourist arrival figure was 1,168,084 and 850,227 arrivals were recorded during the same period of 2021.

The total tourist arrival figure of 2021 was 1,321,937.

Monthly figures show that 172,499 tourists were welcomed during January, 177,915 in February, 173,514 in March, 164,357 in April, 120,959 in May, 120,363 during June, 145,629 in July and 154,854 in August. Although the figures dropped in May and June, they were still higher than 100,000 arrivals.

The ministry’s statistics indicate that the arrival figure for the ongoing month is an 13.2 percent surge compared to the 89,441 arrivals recorded in the same period last year. As such, the country has welcomed a total 101,229 tourists between 1 September and 24 September, 2023.

The highest daily arrivals so far, this ongoing month, was recorded on September 24, with a 5,391 arrivals recorded on the day.

The daily average for September is 4,218 and tourists are staying for an average of seven to eight days.

The daily average for 2023 is at 5,008 and tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of seven days.

Statistics go on to reveal that although India topped the tourist markets for Maldives halfway through the year, it has since been replaced by Russia once more.

Russia contributes 11.6 percent of the market share with 154,842 arrivals recorded from the country as of September 24, while India has toppled to the second spot with 146,057 arrivals, which makes up 11 percent of the arrivals.

China comes third contributing 10.3 percent with 137,515 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, 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.