The tourist arrival figure has neared the 1.9 million mark as the year draws to a close.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism through its latest weekly tourist arrival statistics publicized on Thursday.
The ministry’s statistics reveal that between December 1 – 11, a total of 62,249 visitors touched down at Velana International Airport (VIA). The arrival figure for December is a -2.0 percent decline compared to the 63,523 arrivals recorded in the same period last year. However, it is a slight increase from the 58,990 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2022.
About 5,659 tourists are arriving on average every day during December.
Looking at the daily arrivals for December:
- 7,100 tourists were welcomed on December 1
- 5,133 tourists were welcomed on December 2
- 5,931 tourists were welcomed on December 3
- 5,219 tourists were welcomed on December 4
- 5,291 tourists were welcomed on December 5
- 5,059 tourists were welcomed on December 6
- 6,199 tourists were welcomed on December 7
- 6,370 tourists were welcomed on December 8
- 4,908 tourists were welcomed on December 9
Statistics from the tourism ministry has indicated a decline in tourist arrivals in December, a key month in the peak season for Maldives’ tourism. The decrease in tourist arrivals is reportedly due to an increase in cancellations.
Statistics go on to show that between January 1 and December 11, the Maldives welcomed 1,899,884 tourists. The arrival figure so far this year is a nine percent increase from the 1,747,370 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant growth from the 1,550,242 arrivals recorded in 2022.
The daily average for 2024 so far is 5,491, and tourists are staying for an average of eight days.
The highest number of tourist arrivals recorded on a daily basis so far this year was February 10, when more than 10,000 tourist arrivals were recorded.
The Maldives welcomed 1.8 million tourists in 2023 and aspires to welcome two million tourists this year.
Tourist arrivals for this year include:
- 192,385 visitors welcomed during January
- 217,392 visitors welcomed during February
- 194,227 visitors welcomed during March
- 168,366 visitors welcomed during April
- 119,875 visitors welcomed during May
- 123,284 visitors welcomed during June
- 167,528 visitors welcomed during July
- 176,175 visitors welcomed during August
- 132,795 visitors welcomed during September
- 172,621 visitors welcomed during October
- 172,987 visitors welcomed during November
Further, the ministry revealed that China remains the top source of tourist arrivals, proving a growing demand for travel to the island nation in the eastern Asian region.
China sits at the top of the list of tourist source markets, contributing 13.5 percent of the market share with 256,197 arrivals by December 11.
The year began with Italy topping the tourist arrival markets of the island nation; however, it was replaced by Russia for a few weeks.
Although the United Kingdom ranked in second place for a while, it was replaced by Russia once more.
Russia now contributes 11.1 percent of the market share with 210,939 arrivals recorded so far.
Russia dominated the tourist arrival markets of the Maldives by the end of 2023.
The UK currently ranks in third place in the top 10 markets, contributing 8.7 percent of the market share with 166,074 arrivals.
Although India was among the top three source markets at the beginning of the year, it was replaced by China.
Other top tourist markets so far in 2024 are:
- Germany contributing 7.8 percent with 147,256 arrivals
- Italy contributing 6.8 percent with 128,503 arrivals
- India contributing 6.3 percent with 119,304 arrivals
- United States contributing 3.4 percent with 64,306 arrivals
- France contributing 2.6 percent with 49,867 arrivals
- Spain contributing 2.4 percent with 45,135 arrivals
- Switzerland contributing two percent with 37,933 arrivals
Welcoming the first tourist of 2024 to the Maldives back in January, Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal noted that it was a fantastic start to what promises to be another successful year for the Maldives’ tourism industry. He expressed keen interest in diversifying and exploring additional markets to reach this year’s arrival target.
The Maldives welcomed the one millionth tourist of the year, six months in, on June 27.
A true jewel of the Indian Ocean, Maldives has been dazzling among passionate travelers since tourism was introduced in the Maldives in 1972. It has been 52 years since the island paradise has been enchanting travelers from around the globe with its unrivaled hospitality and picturesque beauty.
