China continues to top tourist source markets as 2024 nears its end

China continues to top the tourist source markets of the Maldives 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.

As such, 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 13.1 percent of the market share with 262,166 arrivals by December 25.

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 10.9 percent of the market share with 218,682 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 8.8 percent of the market share with 176,651 arrivals.

Although India was among the top three source markets at the beginning of the year, it was replaced by China.

The ministry’s statistics went on to reveal that between December 1 – 25, a total of 161,670 visitors touched down at Velana International Airport (VIA). The arrival figure for December is a 7.1 percent growth compared to the 150,913 arrivals recorded in the same period last year. It is also a significant surge from the 142,245 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2022.

About 6,467 tourists are arriving on average every day during December.

More than 7,302 tourists were welcomed on December 26.

On Thursday morning Maldives reached its tourist arrival target for the year, upon the arrival of the island nation’s two millionth tourist for the year. An Austrian citizen, the two millionth tourist received a warm welcome at Velana International Airport (VIA) on Thursday morning. She was welcomed by Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal. As the two millionth tourist of the year, she has received a six-day holiday at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton as a prize. In addition to this, gifts were presented by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, and Maldives Customs Service as well.

The Maldives welcomed 1.8 million tourists in 2023.

The daily average for 2024 so far is 5,554, 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.

Welcoming the first tourist of 2024 to the Maldives back in January, Minister 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.