700,000 tourist arrivals so far into the year; a 13 percent increase

Over 700,000 tourists have traveled to the Maldives so far this year – an increase of 13.1 percent compared to last year.

As per statistics publicized by the Tourism Ministry, a total of 728,950 tourists have traveled to the Maldives so far this year. In the same period last year, Maldives recorded 644,721 tourist arrivals while Maldives recorded 539,332 tourist arrivals in 2022.

An average of 6,451 tourists arrive in the Maldives daily, staying for an average of 7.9 days. The highest number of tourist arrivals was in April on the sixth – with 6,906 arrivals.

The tourist market is topped by China with 77,709 tourists – followed by UK and Russia in second and third respectively, with 72,635 tourist arrivals and 72,336 tourist arrivals.

Only 40,359 tourist arrivals have been recorded from India, which topped the tourist market last year.

Earlier, the Maldivian government announced the state's ambition to attract 2 million arrivals in 2024, which would account for an all-time record. The government expects it could be achieved if the Chinese tourist market maintains its momentum.

The government also aims to open 20 new resorts this year which would create 2,897 beds.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, in his presidential address back in February, said his administration has commenced efforts to identify the obstructions to the development of islands, land plots and lagoons leased for tourism development that has been halted over various reasons and explore possible solutions.