Maldives anticipates arrival of 100,000th tourist post-lockdown

The Tourism Ministry of the Maldives has said that the nation could see the arrival of the 100,000th tourist since reopening its borders on July 15, following the COVID-19 lockdown. 

Up Until December 9, the Maldives received a total of 94,543 tourists. Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom in anticipation of the expected arrival, said that tomorrow would be a historically notable day for the Maldivian tourism industry. 

“In the morning of 12.12. 2020 we shall celebrate the arrival of 100,000th tourist since we reopened our borders. A milestone reached. Alhmadh Lillah. Thank you all.” Said the Minister in a tweet. 

Insha Allah, tomorrow will be a historical day in #Maldives #tourism. In the morning of 12.12. 2020 we shall celebrate the arrival of 100,000th (One Hundred Thousandth) tourist since we reopened our borders. A milestone reached. Alhmadh Lillah. Thank you all.#TogetherWeCan

— Abdulla Mausoom (@Mausoom_Maus) December 11, 2020

The government had targeted to bring in 100,000 tourists in 2020 after the COVID-19 lockdown. It was expected initially that the target could be achieved by December 16. 

Russia remains the top tourist market for the Maldives since the border reopening with 20,264 arrivals. 

India comes second with 13,801. The United Kingdom comes third with 8,200 arrivals. 

Currently, the Maldives has 407 tourist facilities including 135 marinas/resorts and five hotels. 124 safaris and 148 guesthouses are also currently in operation. This is a total bed capacity of 36,750.

In 2020 so far, the Maldives has received 477,390 tourists. The government is still targeting to bring in 500,000 tourists by the end of 2020, a revised target due to the pandemic.