Increase in number of European tourists boosts Maldivian economy

Tourist arrivals to Maldives in January increased by 11.7 percent, providing a boost to Maldivian economy.

Statistics released by Tourism Ministry for the month of January shows that 108,396 tourists visited Maldives in January, which is a boost of 11.7 percent, when compared to the 97,073 tourists who visited the country in January, 2015.

Most noticeable increase comes from European tourists.

52,545 European tourists visited Maldives in January, 2015. Statistics show an increase of 5.4 percent with the 55,382 European tourists who visited the country in January, this year.

There has also been a boost in number of tourists from Middle East by 11.7 percent.

Number of Middle Eastern tourists who visited Maldives in January, 2015 was 3,885; while 4,399 Middle Eastern tourists visited the country in January, 2016.

The most number of tourist arrivals in January was from China. 23,241 Chinese tourists visited Maldives in January, 2016 – an increase of 13.5 percent when compared to January, 2015.

Tourists from Britain increased by 8 percent with the 7,728 tourists who visited in January; while number of tourist arrivals from Germany increased by 10.5 percent, and number of tourist arrivals from Italy by 9.8 percent.

Tourist arrivals from neighboring India increased by 32.1 percent with the 5,182 tourists who visited in January, compared to 3,992 Indian tourists who visited Maldives in January, 2015.