Tourist arrivals to Maldives surpass 1.4 million

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives has surpassed 1.4 million, bringing the island nation closer to its annual arrivals target of a record two million tourists.

The latest statistics released by the Tourism Ministry shows the Maldives recorded 1,435,272 tourist arrivals as of September 18.

This is an increase of 131,384 visitors or a 10.1 percent growth compared to the same period last year, when the country registered 1,303,888 visitors.

China continues to be the top source market for tourist arrivals, with over 200,000 visitors.

TOP SOURCE MARKETS:

• China: 209,791 visitors (14.6 percent)
• Russia: 155,900 visitors (10.9 percent)
• UK: 122,839 visitors (8.6 percent)
• Italy: 104,574 visitors (7.3 percent)
• Germany: 101,425 visitors (7.1 percent)
• India: 86,755 visitors (6 percent)
• USA: 48,656 visitors (3.4 percent)
• France: 40,358 visitors (2.8 percent)
• Spain: 32,359 visitors (2.3 percent)
• Switzerland: 26,568 visitors (1.9 percent)

The average duration of stay is 7.7 days. There are 79,795 tourist beds in operation in resorts, hotels and liveaboards across the country.

While the statistics show a growth in arrivals, there has been concern

The statistics show the Maldives is well on track to achieving the record two million arrivals goal it has set for this year. However, industry experts have raised concerns over a lack of increase in revenues despite the rise in tourist arrivals.

At the GM Forum 2024 hosted by travel magazine Hotelier Maldives on Thursday, Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal urged industry stakeholders to target not just arrivals, but also boosting occupancy rates and extending the duration of stay of tourists.