Maldives welcomes over 1.5 million tourists so far in 2024

Maldives has welcomed more than 1.5 million tourists so far in 2024, indicating a 9.5 percent increment compared to the corresponding period last year.

According to the most recent updates from the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals from January 01^st to October 06^th stood at 1,522,621 whereas in the same period in 2023, arrivals stood at 1,385,883. Moreover, arrivals exclusively in September this year stood at 132,788 – indicating a 1.4 percent increase from the total arrival of 130,967 in the same month last year.

From October 1^st to 6^th, this year, Maldives has welcomed 30,601 with an average arrival of 5,100 on a daily basis in October as of Sunday.

The highest arrival in a single month was recorded in February this year, with a total arrival of 217,392 whereas the lowest arrival was recorded in May with 119,875 arrivals. Generally, tourist arrivals on a monthly basis observed increment compared to the corresponding months last year, except for May during which arrivals saw a 0.9 percent drop.

Total tourist arrivals – Yearly

• 2022: 1,675,303
• 2023: 1,878,543
• So far in 2024: 1,522,621

China is comfortably maintaining its top rank with a total of 227,978 arrivals so far, which is a market share of 15 percent. Russia is ranked second with a total of 166,172 arrivals, holding to a market share of 10.9 percent.

The UK is the third strong source market with 128,262 arrivals so far, with a market share of 8.4 percent.

India, which had consistently ranked as the top source market since 2020 until 2023, slipped through the ranks but has gained momentum more recently, jumping ranks from sixth to fifth currently with an arrival total of 92,270 so far; which is a 6.1 percent market share.

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives so far this year has seen comparative increment compared to the past two years.

The Maldives government is targeting an annual arrival total of 2 million before 2024 concludes.