February’s top source market UK, slips to third

The top tourist source market to the Maldives in February this year, United Kingdom, has slipped to third rank in annual terms according to recent statistics from the Ministry of Tourism.

The most recent Daily Arrival statistics released by the ministry confirmed the arrival of 549,747 tourists as of March 19^th this year, which is a 4.8 percent increment from the corresponding period last year.

The year-to-date arrival total as of the same period in 2024 stood at 524,340.

While the daily arrival average stood at 7,646 in February, the figure has slipped to an average of 6,358 so far in March. The annual daily arrival average is currently at 7,048.

As of the review date, China is leading the top 10 markets which is based on total number of cumulative arrivals by nationality. Statistics reveal China has taken first rank with 67,414 tourist arrivals so far this year while Russia is in second spot with a cumulative arrival total of 56,575.

The United Kingdom, which was the top tourist market in February had slipped to third rank with a cumulative arrival total of 56,183 as of March 19^th.

Top 10 Arrivals by Nationality

1. China: 67,414 – 12.3 percent
2. Russia: 56,575 – 10.3 percent
3. UK: 56,183 – 10.2 percent
4. Italy: 51,808 – 9.4 percent
5. Germany: 38,263 – 7.0 percent
6. India: 26,914 – 4.9 percent
7. France: 22,729 – 4.1 percent
8. USA: 17,180 – 3.1 percent
9. Poland: 12,313 – 2.2 percent
10. Switzerland: 12,038 – 2.2 percent

Statistics from the ministry further reveal a combined total of 62,587 beds in operation as of the review date, out of which 69 percent, or 43,217 beds originated from the operational 175 tourist resorts. Guesthouses covered a 23 percent share, of 14,188 beds across 838 operational properties.

Safari vessels contributed 5 percent of the entire bed capacity, which is a total of 3,144 beds from 157 operational vessels.

The Maldives attracted an annual total of 2,046,615 tourists by the end of 2024; surpassing the annual tourist arrival target set by the government, and is targeting to surpass this arrival count in 2025.