Tourist arrivals to the Maldives up 16% in 2024

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives up to by 16.3% in annual terms so far in 2024, reports Ministry of Tourism.

According to the ministry's latest statistics, updated as of February 20, the total arrivals reached 349,612 by the review date indicating the annual increment.

For the period from February 1 to 20, arrivals reached 157,227 which is a 22.7% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2023; during which arrivals stood at 128,140.

Currently, China is leading the source markets with 49,769 arrivals on a year-to-date basis, while Italy is ranked second with 33,552 arrivals. 

Russia which has either enjoyed top or second rank is currently in third place with 33,213 arrivals while the United Kingdom (UK) is at fourth place with 30,916 arrivals.

India, which has emerged as the top source market in the past few years is currently in the fifth spot with 23,576; a slip resultant from the India-Maldives spat that originated from derogatory remarks made by senior government officials of the Maldives at the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Despite the significant rank dip from the Indian source market, significant increments from the Chinese and Italian markets as well as the former's momentum has ensured an annual increment for 2024.