Maldives recorded highest tourist arrivals since border reopening, on November 1

Since border reopening, Maldives recorded the highest single-day tourist arrival rate on November 1.

Statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism regarding updates on the Covid-19 situation in the Maldives revealed that a total of 44,365 tourists arrived in the Maldives since the government reopened borders for international travel on July 15, to November 4.

Out of this, 1,590 tourist arrivals were recorded on November 1.

In total, Maldives recorded 427,212 arrivals during 2020 up until Wednesday.

The tourism ministry revealed that the top source market for tourism is Russia with 9,519 arrivals which accounts to 21.5 percent of arrivals. Russia is followed by the United Kingdom with 3,817 arrivals which accounts to 8.6 percent of the total arrivals.

Third comes United Arab Emirates with 3,683 arrivals and the United States of America with 3,484. Other top source markets include India with 2,345 arrivals and Germany with 2,099 arrivals.

Maldives also recorded 1,773 arrivals from France during the review period, 1,716 visitors from Spain, 1,738 arrivals from Ukraine, followed by 1,288 visitors from Brazil.

Statistics go on to reveal that a total of 382,760 arrivals were recorded with a daily average of 4,206 until Maldives stopped issuing on-arrival visas, on March 27.

In July, Maldives saw 1,701 arrivals with a daily average of 113 arrivals. The number steadily increased to 7,628 arrivals in August, with a daily average of 246 visitors and by the end of September, Maldives recorded 9,538 arrivals and from January 1 to November 4, tourist arrivals were at 427,212.

The highest increase in tourist arrivals was observed within October, as such, within October 1 – 31, 21,515 visitors were recorded, with a daily average of 694 arrivals.

Emirates Airline carried 16,276 visitors to the Maldives up until Wednesday. This is the highest number of arrivals out of the scheduled international flights operating to the island nation since border reopening. Emirates has conducted 194 trips to the island nation thus far.

Qatar Airways follows close with 218 flight movements and 15,690 passengers. The airline has recorded the greatest number of movements since border reopening.

Maldives flag carrier Maldivian has also operated 174 flights to and from the island nation, carrying 2,289 passengers in total, with FlyMe operated by Villa Air, having carried 17 passengers on four flights.

The increase in flight frequencies and tourist arrivals signal optimism in recovering from the Covid-19 situation.

Maldives responded to the escalating situation of Covid-19 by shutting down borders following which the country’s tourism industry was at a complete standstill for over three months. The government has been implementing numerous measures against the virus since.