Maldives is to welcome its millionth tourist for the ongoing year, in July.

According to the most recent statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, the number of tourists welcomed at the Velana International Airport (VIA) as the first half of the year draws to a close, has increased up to more than 900,000.

With this, it is expected that the arrival figure will cross the million-mark by the third week of July.

Statistics indicate that so far this year, nearly 200,000 visitors have been touching down in the Maldives on a monthly basis.

Although the figure dropped in May and June, it was still higher than 100,000 arrivals.

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 – 28, a total of 110,912 visitors were recorded at VIA.

Statistics revealed that Maldives has welcomed a total of 920,156 visitors since the new year began.

The arrival figure for the ongoing month is a seven percent surge compared to the 103,664 arrivals recorded in the same period last year and much higher than the 52,748 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2021.

The daily average for this year is at 5,141 and tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of seven days.

The ministry predicts that an average of 4,300 tourists will be recorded on a daily basis, in July.

This year’s arrival figure is an increase of 14.2 percent from the 805,998 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant growth from the 507,131 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 109,190 arrivals recorded from the country by June 25 while Russia toppled to the second spot with 107,985, which is 11.7 percent of the arrivals.

United Kingdom sits in third contributing 8.7 percent with 79,913 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.