Maldives enjoys 37 percent boost in tourist arrivals from India

Statistics show a considerable increase in tourist arrivals from India, but a slight drop in arrivals from China in the month of January, compared to same period of the previous year.

Speaking during a press conference this Wednesday, Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed announced a 37 percent boost in tourist arrivals from India in the month of January.

Meanwhile, tourist arrivals from China dropped by 0.7 percent during the same period.

Ali Waheed said the Chinese tourist market had been showing a decline since 2018, and said he did not believe geopolitics to be the reason behind the drop.

He said the Ministry of Tourism, along with tourism industry stakeholders will be conducting talks with the Chinese Embassy to improve tourist arrivals from China.

Ali Waheed also noted a 17 percent increase in tourist arrivals from Italy.

The overall tourist arrivals in January, 2019, also shows a 6.5 percent increase compared to January, 2018.

“We have also had to face several tragedies. But the increase in arrival rates lead us to have high expectations for this year,” said Ali Waheed.

Despite the slight drop, Chinese market led the tourist arrivals in January with 17 percent of the total arrivals.

Tourist arrivals in January:

1. China: 17 percent
2. Italy: 11 percent
3. India: 7.7 percent
4. UK: 6.7 percent
5. Germany: 6.5 percent