maldives tourist arrivals by country 2021

International tourism, number of arrivals - Maldives

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Maldives’ tourism looking up after reopening

• Asia and the Pacific

Despite challenges faced during the year, the Maldives welcomed a total of 555,494 international tourists in 2020. In January 2021, arrival numbers stood at 92,103 and it increased to 99,397 by 3rd February 2021 with a daily average of 2,923 tourists. Though this was a decline of 47.5% compared with that of 2020, tourists are seen spending their holidays for longer duration, extending the average duration of stay in the Maldives from 7.2 days in 2020 to 9.2 days in 2021.

The Maldives observed significant changes to its top markets since re-opening of borders on 15 July 2020. As of 3rd February 2021, Russia stood at the top as the number one market with 23% shares and 22,365 tourists. India followed closely behind with 21% shares and 20,933 tourists. Ukraine, which made it to the top market list of Maldives after the re-opening of borders, stood third in the list contributing 7.8% shares with 7,709 tourists. Other top source markets include Kazakhstan (4.9%), France (4.5%), Romania (3.8%), Germany (3.7%), United Kingdom (2.6%), Czech Republic (2.2%) and U.S.A (2.1%).

The Maldives is seeing optimistic results with recovery trends from Central/Eastern Europe and South Asian region as well as some markets from the Middle East and Americas. Central/Eastern Europe and South Asia posted a double-digit growth of 63.9% and 24.6% respectively in 2021 as of 3rd February. Individual markets such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Romania posted growth rates over 100%.

Since the re-opening of Maldives borders, 27 scheduled airlines are operating to the Maldives, from various countries across the globe, most of them being long haul. The highest number of movements and passengers came from Emirates, Qatar Airways, Indigo, Go Air and Aeroflot. With the rapid growth in new markets from Central and Eastern Europe, 6 flights from the region are now operating to the Maldives.

Looking at COVID-19 situation in the Maldives, as of 3rd February over 3000 samples are being tested daily, which includes departure samples. The tourist’s positivity rate, as a percentage of total arrivals remain significantly low at 0.08% in January 2021. As of 3rd February 2021, there are 3 COVID-19 hospital facilities in greater Male’ area with 266 beds and additional 6 COVID-19 hospital facilities across the country with a total of 188 beds. In isolation facilities, tourists stay in private areas with special arrangements and are closely monitored by healthcare professionals.

The Maldives tourism recovery drive has been anchored on facilitating maximum safety and security possible to tourists, employees and the public, with minimal inconvenience.  With over 87% of the total 51,000 beds now in operation in resorts, hotels and guesthouses, and liveaboard safari boats, Maldives expects to welcome 1.5 million tourists and 10 million bed nights in 2021.

Please download

• Maldives Tourism Updates 2023 Issue - 29  as of 20 July 2023  here . 
• Maldives Tourism Updates 2023 Issue - 09  as of 02 March 2023  here . 
• Maldives Tourism Bulletin, June 2023, here

Tourist Arrival Numbers Exceed 200,000 So Far in 2021

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Total tourist arrivals

This shows the total number of inbound tourist arrivals to the Maldives. This represents total arrivals data reported by Ministry of Tourism.

Maldives sets daily record of 5,100 tourist arrivals for 2021

Maldives received more than 5,100 tourists on Monday, the highest daily record yet for 2021, tourism officials have announced.

This is compared to a daily average of some 5,000 tourists before the Covid-19 pandemic, and of 3,000 so far this year.

The island nation received 160,000 tourists between January 1 and February 20 this year, who were mainly from India, Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.

The country aims to attract at least 1.5 million tourists by year end.

The Maldives reopened for tourists of all nationalities on July 15.

The stringent health and safety measures in place, and the naturally distanced nature of the Maldivian islands ensure safety for all tourists.

Maldives is also rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine. This is expected to increase the confidence travellers have in the Maldives, and further increase tourist arrivals from India.

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Maldives Madridistas: Patina Maldives, Fari Islands Nets Exclusive Football Camp Partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation

Younger guests at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands can embrace new patterns of play this summer at an exclusive, Maldives-first Real Madrid Foundation football camp. From 4 July – 12 August, a youth coach will lead a comprehensive Real Madrid Foundation programme of daily soccer sessions for ages 5-9yrs, 10-14yrs, and 15-17yrs. The coach will be joined by an elite player ambassador from UEFA’s all-time no. 1 ranked football club toward the end of the programme.

This summer’s inaugural Patina Maldives x Real Madrid CF Foundation football camp is the first edition in an ongoing partnership, with additional future football camp dates to be confirmed. Led by a licensed Real Madrid Foundation coach, sessions will focus on developing each participant both individually and as part of the group, in order to ‘Play The Real Way’ – the training methodology that combines play, as well as sports values.

Sessions will take place on a new, purpose-built 6 a side astroturf pitch located near the Fari Marina Village at Patina Maldives.

All participants will receive an official camp football camp shirt, shorts, socks, drawstring bag, sweatbands, and cap; while those completing a minimum of four days’ coaching will also be presented with a Real Madrid Foundation participation certificate.

Real Madrid Foundation football clinics at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands are priced at USD195++ per child per session for guests of the resort. Bookings are also open to guests from neighbouring resorts, from USD250++ per child per session.

Rates at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands start from USD2,054 (approx. GBP1,620) per night based on two adults sharing a One Bedroom Pool Villa including daily breakfast, complimentary Guest Benefits, tax, and service. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and reservations, please visit https://patinahotels.com/maldives or contact [email protected] . For more information on Pathways, please see here .

A blissful island Easter celebration at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Experience unique and enriching getaways at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, as the luxury resort unveils exciting benefits for family getaway packages launching this season. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the ethereal charm of the Maldives.

Nestled in the pristine Raa Atoll, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives seamlessly blends eco-friendly architecture with contemporary sophistication, complemented by the untouched, rugged beauty of the Raa Atoll. Situated amidst miles of untouched marine life, Alila Kothaifaru invites guests to reconnect with nature in the most extraordinary ways. With spacious villas and private pools, guests can truly experience the essence of a getaway where luxury and adventure harmoniously coexist.

Surrounded by azure skies and the turquoise waters of the Raa Atoll, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives offers an idyllic setting for a family escape during the Easter break. Here, guests can unwind in luxurious, nature-immersed surroundings, embark on exciting adventures together, and indulge in unforgettable wellness and culinary experiences.

During Easter weekend, Play Alila will delight young guests with a diverse range of festive island-inspired activities, including Easter egg decorating, arts and crafts, face painting, and more. For those seeking relaxation, Spa Alila offers enticing packages for parents and children to enjoy quality bonding time.

For the adventurous souls, do not miss the chance to join our Sparkling Underwater Egg Hunt. Hidden throughout one of our nearby dive sites, these eggs hold a special surprise. The lucky diver who discovers the egg with a unique mark will win an exclusive clutch made of Swarovski crystal valued at EUR 1,800!

Embark on an Easter journey to remember at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. Explore all of the Easter events and activities at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives here 

Family Getaway Package

• Booking Period: Until 30 October 2024
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Experience a family holiday rich with memorable moments. From nature walks to energetic beach activities, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ offerings extend to the whole family. Indulge in a host of fun adventures together, or relax while your children participate in creative indoor and outdoor activities. Enjoy special family welcome amenities upon arrival, return seaplane transfers, daily full-board meals, and a special offer on wellness treatments. Experience the beauty of our island while creating lasting memories to be treasured!

Stay with us during the Easter period from 25-31 March 2024 and be treated to a wide range of festive island inspired activities such as Easter egg decorating, arts and crafts, egg hunting around the island and underwater, wellness offering, and many more!

For more information and reservations, please contact [email protected] or visit alilahotels.com

Love’s Oasis: Siyam World Invites Couples To Celebrate And Embrace Romance On White Valentines’ Day

Romance never ends, get ready to swoon, Siyam World is pulling out all the stops to make this  White Valentine’s Day  one for the books.  Nestled in the heart of the Maldives, Siyam World invites couples to indulge in a whirlwind of romance and adventure on  March 14th, 2024.

Internationally acclaimed  DJ Youna  will headline the evening’s entertainment, enchanting guests with her signature blend of melodic techno and progressive house music. Against the backdrop of the Maldivian night sky, guests can dance under the stars and create cherished memories with their loved ones. DJ Youna, the rising star of melodic techno and progressive house, is set to serenade you and your beloved under the starlit skies of Siyam World.

YOUNA, an emerging DJ/Producer specializing in melodic techno and progressive house, hails originally from South Korea. Her musical trajectory took an unforeseen turn upon her relocation to Dubai, where she developed a profound affinity for house music—a genre less prevalent in the Asian music landscape. Dedication to refining her craft led YOUNA to cultivate a distinctive sound, skilfully merging emotive melodies with the infectious energy of her compositions.

Despite embarking on her production and DJing journey in 2022, YOUNA has swiftly ascended to prominence on the global music scene. Her debut single, ‘Self-Doubt,’ ascended to the top 14 in progressive house and secured the 4th position on Beatport’s hype chart. YOUNA’s music, characterized by potent beats and evocative soundscapes, transcends cultural boundaries, dismantling barriers and creating a harmonious fusion on the international stage. Get ready to dance the night away and create memories that will last a lifetime with DJ YOUNA

Siyam World has also curated a line-up of experiences that will make your heart skip a beat. Dive into the culinary wonders of the Maldives with our Maldivian Culinary Workshop at Kaage, where you will learn the secrets of local cuisine from our talented chefs.

Treat your special someone to a Destination Dinner or a Special Romantic Dinner, complete with a romantic movie screening to set the mood. And for the ultimate indulgence, why not enjoy a Wine Cellar Dinner? Gift your loved one with chocolates and flowers made available for this special day. Sip on mimosas and savor delicious bites while soaking in the breath-taking views of Siyam World.

Mark your calendars, lovebirds, because White Valentine’s Day at Siyam World is going to be one for the books! Book your romantic getaway now and get ready to fall in love all over again.

For more information, visit  Siyam World  or follow on  Instagram ,  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  TikTok  or  YouTube . For booking enquiries email:  [email protected] .

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Maldives Tourist Arrivals

Tourist arrivals in maldives increased to 217392 in february from 192385 in january of 2024. tourist arrivals in maldives averaged 112262.62 from 2012 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 217392.00 in february of 2024 and a record low of 0.00 in april of 2020. source: maldives monetary authority,   markets,   gdp,   labour,   prices,   money,   trade,   government,   business,   consumer,   taxes,   climate.

Maldives records over 800,000 tourist arrivals between January-September period

MALE, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Maldives has received 809,764 tourists between Jan. 1 and Sept. 13 this year, local media citing data from the Ministry of Tourism reported here Wednesday.

Tourist arrivals between January and September increased 104.4 percent compared to the same period in 2020. Maldives' borders were closed for three months in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, greatly reducing arrivals in that year.

The Tourism Ministry data showed that the country received 143,599 tourists in August, the highest in a single month in 2021. The average daily arrivals for 2021 was above 4,000.

The data also indicated that India was the largest source of tourists in 2021, making up 22.4 percent of all arrivals. Russia came second with 20.4 percent of arrivals. Enditem

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Tourism in Maldives – 2021 A year in review

January 9, 2022 | News | IMTM

Despite the setbacks faced during the year, the momentum in Maldives tourism has continued as the Maldives thrived to revive and recover tourism during the ongoing severe times of the global pandemic in 2021. The country was able to provide tourists with natural isolation and safety among the covid 19 pandemic due to its unique geographical structure making the process of isolating more convenient. When looking at vaccination status, 60% percent of the general population is vaccinated in the Maldives as well as 95% of workers in the tourism industry have been vaccinated. The Ministry is making arrangements for all industry workers to get the booster dose earlier this year.

The accommodation facilities have increased significantly since the previous year. With the introduction of homestay tourism, bed capacity numbers are expected to exceed even more. As of 31 st December 2021, there are 53,160 operational beds. This includes 167 resorts, 805 guesthouses, 157 safari vessels, and 11 hotels. By the end of 2021, there are 39,604 operational bed occupancy from 167 different resorts/marinas. Resorts in Maldives cover over 72% of total bed occupancy.

In the past two years, Maldives has consecutively surpassed the targeted number of tourist arrivals for the year. The Maldives achieved 1.3 million tourist visitor milestone on 27th December 2021 just a day after recording the greatest number of tourist arrivals recorded in the same day with 7098 visitors. In the year 2020, the country targeted 500,00 arrivals and achieved 555,000, thus the target was revised upwards. By the end of December, 1,321,932 tourist arrivals were recorded. In January 2021, arrival numbers stood at 92,103 and it increased to 96,882 by February 2021 with a daily average of 3535 tourists. Though this was a decline of 35.3% compared with that of 2020, tourists are seen spending their holidays for a longer duration, extending the average duration of stay in the Maldives from 7.2 days in 2020 to 8.7 days in 2021.

India has continued to remain the top source market, with a total of 22.1 % market capacity. Following India in the second position, the Russian market remains in the same position as it did last year with a 16.8% market share. On the third position is Germany, stepping up to the third position with a 7.2% market share. Compared to 2020., two new countries, Saudi Arabia and Spain made their way into the top ten list at the 6 th and 7 th place respectively.  The most drastic change was noticed in the Chinese market. China was the leading market in 2019 and stepped down to the 6 th position in 2020 and as of 2021, China does not remain among the top ten source markets.

During the ceremony held at Kurumba Maldives Resort to launch the official one-year countdown to the 50th anniversary of the Maldives Tourism Industry, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih declared 3 rd October as National Tourism Day. The National Tourism Day attributes to the opening of the Maldives’ first resort, Kurumba Village, at Vihamanaafushi island near Male’ on 3 rd October 1972.  

To celebrate the New Year 2022, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment organized a music show titled “Maruhabaavees” at Hulhumale featuring singer Ankit Tiwari and several other local musicians. Maruhabaavees was concluded with a grand display of fireworks by the Maldives national Defense force. This was the first new year’s celebration since the Covid-19 pandemic. Several other events were held in resorts and in local islands to celebrate the new year and kickstart the Golden Jubilee celebrations of tourism in the Maldives.  On the 1 st of January 2022, the first homestay tourists were welcomed to Dhiggaru Island with a welcoming event, attended by the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom.

Maldives secured the title of the World’s Leading Destination and other accolades at World Travel Awards 2021 for the second year in a row. The distinguished award is of great value to the destination, especially as it was achieved during such a challenging time. We welcome 2022, the Golden Year of tourism in the Maldives with a 2 million target goal, and with the hopes of securing the World’s Leading Travel Destination Title once again.  We hope the industry achieves greater accomplishments as we proceed.

Team IMTM conveys the warmest congratulations to all the consistent and courageous frontline workers, the government, ministries, MMPRC, other stakeholders, NGO’s and associations for all their efforts in achieving these milestones.

#covid-19 #ecotourism #iamwithIMTM #IMTM #imtmonline #maldives #Maldivestourismindustry #maldivian #maldiviesnews #resorts #responsibletravel #safetravel #sunnysideoflife #Travelnews

Last modified: January 9, 2022

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News September 26, 2021

Tourist Arrivals for 2021 Reach Beyond 840,000

Ministry of Tourism has reported that the total number of tourist arrivals in 2021 to the Maldives is 840,095 by 22nd September. 84,129 arrivals were recorded just in September only.

India continues to be the leading market to the Maldives with a 22.7% contribution to the market share despite the decline earlier this year following the travel restriction imposed on the South Asian countries. Russia remains the second contributing market with a 20.0% share followed by Germany with a 6.0% market share.

USA, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Spain, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan and France take the remaining spots for the top 10 markets for tourist arrivals in 2021 so far.

A daily average of 3,182 arrivals was recorded and tourists are also staying for an average duration of 9 nights.

Regardless of seeing a plunge in arrivals during September 2021 compared to the record arrivals in August 2021 that surpassed the pre-pandemic figures, Maldives is still on track to reach the target of 1.5 million arrivals by the end of this year.

The country welcomed a little over 1.7 million tourists in 2019 and the number fell drastically to 555,494 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On a positive note, the arrivals in 2021 by September has surpassed the total arrivals in 2020 (end December).

The golden year of tourism in the Maldives is to be celebrated next year as it marks 50 years since the commencement of tourism in this island nation.

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News April 28, 2024

Maldives' tourist arrivals increase 138 pct in 2021

MALE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tourist arrivals in the Maldives increased 138 percent in 2021 compared with 2020, state media citing data from the Ministry of Tourism reported here Monday.

State-owned PSM News reported that the Maldives recorded 1.3 million tourist arrivals in 2021 compared to 55,494 tourist arrivals in 2020.

The date from the Tourism Ministry showed that India was the largest source of tourists to Maldives in 2021, accounting for 22.1 percent of all arrivals. Russia and Britain accounted for 16.8 percent and 7.2 percent of arrivals respectively.

Meanwhile, Senior Executive Director of the Ministry of Tourism Ali Razzan was quoted by state-owned PSM News as saying that the fifth Tourism Master Plan for the country will be drafted in three months.

The plan will reportedly focus on continuing recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism accounts for over 28 percent of the Maldives' gross domestic product. Enditem

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• Maldives' tourist arrivals increase 138% in 2021

The data from the Tourism Ministry indicates that India was the largest source of tourists to Maldives in 2021.

• Published On Jan 5, 2022 at 08:00 AM IST

Maldives records over 100,000 tourist arrivals in October

According to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the country will this year cross the mark of a million tourist arrivals by the end of October.

• Updated On Jan 5, 2022 at 08:00 AM IST

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Tourist Arrivals for 2021 Reach Beyond 840,000

Ministry of Tourism has reported that the total number of tourist arrivals in 2021 to the Maldives is 840,095 by 22nd September. 84,129 arrivals were recorded just in September only.

India continues to be the leading market to the Maldives with a 22.7% contribution to the market share despite the decline earlier this year following the travel restriction imposed on the South Asian countries. Russia remains the second contributing market with a 20.0% share followed by Germany with a 6.0% market share.

USA, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Spain, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan and France take the remaining spots for the top 10 markets for tourist arrivals in 2021 so far.

A daily average of 3,182 arrivals was recorded and tourists are also staying for an average duration of 9 nights.

Regardless of seeing a plunge in arrivals during September 2021 compared to the record arrivals in August 2021 that surpassed the pre-pandemic figures, Maldives is still on track to reach the target of 1.5 million arrivals by the end of this year.

The country welcomed a little over 1.7 million tourists in 2019 and the number fell drastically to 555,494 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On a positive note, the arrivals in 2021 by September has surpassed the total arrivals in 2020 (end December).

The golden year of tourism in the Maldives is to be celebrated next year as it marks 50 years since the commencement of tourism in this island nation.

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Maldives: Tourist Arrivals Increased By 138% In 2021

• International

Tourist arrivals in the Maldives increased 138 percent in 2021 compared with 2020, with Indians accounting for the majority of the holidaymakers, state media citing data from the Ministry of Tourism reported.

State-owned PSM News said that the Maldives recorded 1.3 million tourist arrivals in 2021 compared to 55,494 in 2020, reports xinhua news agency.

The date from the Tourism Ministry showed that India was the largest source of tourists to Maldives in 2021, accounting for 22.1 percent of all arrivals.

Russia and Britain accounted for 16.8 percent and 7.2 per cent of arrivals, respectively.

Meanwhile, Senior Executive Director of the Ministry of Tourism Ali Razzan was quoted by PSM News as saying that the fifth Tourism Master Plan for the country will be drafted in three months.

The plan will reportedly focus on continuing recovery from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourism accounts for over 28 per cent of the Maldives’ gross domestic product.

(Source: IANS, not edited by travelobiz staff)

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Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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Maldives records over 1L tourist arrivals in October

Male: Over 1,000,00 tourists have visited the Maldives in the month of October, the state-owned PSM News citing data from the Ministry of Tourism said on Tuesday.

Ministry data showed that 102,434 tourists visited the Maldives from October 1 to 24, a 599 per cent increase from the same period in 2020 but a 2 per cent decrease compared to 2019, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Maldives has recorded a total of 973,269 tourist arrivals so far this year, or a daily average of 4,454.

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According to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the country will this year cross the mark of a million tourist arrivals by the end of October.

India and Russia were the biggest sources of tourist arrivals for the Maldives, accounting for 23 per cent and 19 per cent of all arrivals, respectively.

They were followed by visitors from France, Kazakhstan, Spain, Ukraine, the UK and the US.

The country's borders had been fully closed for three months last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic before they were reopened in July 2020.

The borders were closed for South Asian tourists due to a surge of Covid-19 cases in May 2021, but were reopened on July 15.

Tourism is the largest economic industry in the Maldives, as it plays an important role in earning foreign exchange revenues and employing thousands of citizens.

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The tourist arrival figure recorded so far this year has surpassed the 400,000-mark.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism in its latest daily statistics, publicized onSunday.

Statistics show that Maldives has welcomed a total of 417,070 tourists so far this year. As such, 172,499 tourists were welcomed in January and 177,914 tourists were welcomed in February.

So far in March, the country has welcomed 66,657 tourists.

According to the ministry, this figure is an increase of 24.9 percent from the 333,852 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant increase from the 223,710 arrivals recorded in 2021.

So far this month, the highest daily arrivals was recorded on 04 March, when more than 7,000 visitors were welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA).

The daily average for the year so far is at 6,727 and tourists are staying in the Maldives for an average of eight days.

Looking at the daily arrivals for March 2023

6,125 tourists were welcomed on March 1

6,019 tourists were welcomed on March 2

5,345 tourists were welcomed on March 3

7,381 tourists were welcomed on March 4

6,900 tourists were welcomed on March 5

5,712 tourists were welcomed on March 6

5,944 tourists were welcomed on March 7

5,664 tourists were welcomed on March 8

5,388 tourists were welcomed on March 9

5,308 tourists were welcomed on March 10

6,871 tourists were welcomed on March 11

According to the figures, Russia has topped the source market for the archipelago nation's tourism, accounting for 12.5 percent of the market share with 52,291 arrivals registered by March 11.

Although being placed third since the beginning of the year, India has risen to second place, contributing 10.9 percent with 45,438 arrivals. The neighboring country was the largest source market for Maldives tourism in 2022.

The United Kingdom is third, with 9.4 percent with 39,089 arrivals.

Other top tourism markets so far in 2023 are:

Italy contributing 9 percent with 37,394 arrivals

Germany contributing 6.7 percent with 27,955 arrivals

France contributing 4.5 percent with 18,744 arrivals

United States contributing 4 percent with 16,846 arrivals

China contributing 3 percent with 12,489 arrivals

Switzerland contributing 2.4 percent with 9,823 arrivals

Poland contributing 1.7 percent with 7,697 arrivals

Although Kazakhstan and South Korea were among the top source markets for Maldives tourism at the end of January, they have since been dropped from the list.

2020 was a slow year for Maldives tourism due to several safety precautions implemented in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, as well as border closure. However, tourist arrivals began to rebound in 2021, with the relaxation of travel restrictions and the implementation of safety measures against Covid-19.

The Maldives saw 555,494 visitor arrivals in 2020, a significant decrease from the previous year's 1,702,887 visitors. Maldives met its 2021 tourist arrival target in late December, welcoming a total of 1,321,932 visitors before the end of the year.

In 2022, Maldives welcomed 1,675,285 tourists. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in his presidential address on 3 February 2022, revealed that Maldives aimed to welcome 1.6 million tourists in 2022. The island nation reached its target with the combined efforts of relevant government agencies, the private sector, and industry stakeholders.

In his presidential address this year, delivered at the People’s Majlis on 6 February 2023, President Solih stated that the Maldives will be welcoming 3.5 million tourists, annually, by 2028.

Describing the past three years as the most challenging years the Maldivian economy has faced, he noted that the Covid-19 pandemic brought a complete halt to the Maldivian economy.

The president went on to state that the administration can show results based on mathematical results on the work done and what remains to be done, adding that data demonstrate how well the Maldivian economy is doing.

Highlighting that the Maldives will be welcoming 3.5 million tourists annually by 2028, President Solih stated that this will be the result of all of the commenced, ongoing and completed developmental projects of the administration.

He added that the development projects of his administration will take the Maldives’ tourism industry to new heights.

The President said that this will double the country’s economic growth, remarking that the total productivity of the country, which was at MVR 81 billion in 2018, can be doubled and increased to MVR 177 billion in 10 years.

The golden jubilee year of tourism held a record of milestones related to the tourism sector. As such, Maldives was crowned the World’s Leading Destination three times in a row last year.

Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom noted that this quick rebound of Maldives tourism to pre-pandemic level is a clear indication of the visionary leadership of President Solih, sound tourism policies and the strong partnership between the government and the private sector.

It has been 50 years since zealous travelers have been visiting the Maldives which has been drawing in visitors with its picturesque beauty for years.

Tourism was introduced in the Maldives in 1972.

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Maldives Tries to Win Back Indian Tourists As Arrivals Fall 40%

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

April 16th, 2024 at 9:11 AM EDT

While Maldives enjoys record-breaking arrivals, its tourism companies aren't about to let the Indian market keep falling. They're on a mission to reverse the trend.

Peden Doma Bhutia

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators is determined to increase Indian arrivals to the island destination and is taking steps to achieve this.

“Indian arrivals to the Maldives have gone down by almost 40%,” said Abdulla Ghiyas, the association’s president, in an exclusive interview with Skift.

In early January, #BoycottMaldives started trending in Indian social media following a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Indians accused Maldivian politicians of making disparaging remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As a result, India, which was the number 2 source market for Maldives, has now fallen to number 6 . India’s share of visitors had been almost 11% – it has shrunk to 5.6%.

Promotions in Indian Cities

Ghiyas said the association will be hosting roadshows in 3 Indian cities in July and confirmed to Skift that one of the cities would be Bengaluru.

The association also plans to engage with Indian social media influencers. “We also want to see how we can work with the tourism board in Maldives as we have partnered with them in the past as well. There are talks that the tourism board is also planning of doing something in India,” Ghiyas said.

At the July roadshows, he said he’s keen to look at cities that have direct connectivity with Maldives.

Ghiyas expressed a desire to have conducted the roadshow earlier, noting that May is when Indian outbound travel peaks. However, he mentioned plans for another round of roadshows towards the end of the year, aiming to include Tier 2 cities. “Even if they lack direct flights to the Maldives, these cities would represent an important market for us,” he said.

Maldives has so far received (from January 1-April 15) 693,867 tourists, up from 606,395 arrivals for the same period last year, as per the latest data from the Maldives tourism ministry.

China is the top source market for the island destination, followed by UK and Russia.

Between January 1-April 15, almost 39,000 Indians visited Maldives, a decline of almost 40%, compared to the 64,250 arrivals for the same period last year.

“We might not talk immediately about the growth scenario, but I would definitely like to see the 40% decline narrow down,” Ghiyas said.

Can’t Ignore India

While Maldives has experienced record-breaking tourism arrivals so far, Ghiyas said it still needs India. “There are properties and resorts that rely heavily on the Indian market, which have been severely affected. This will hurt us in the long term and that is why we have decided to engage with the India market.”

Aminath Suzan, CEO of Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, pointed to cultural ties, such as similarities in food, language, and pop culture. “We must ensure that unrelated matters do not negatively impact the bond, for which we have dedicated years and built this alliance.”

MATATO Meets with Indian High Commissioner to Foster Tourism Cooperation The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) engaged in a productive meeting with His Excellency Munu Mahawar, the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, to explore collaborative… pic.twitter.com/PNXiy3QdVz — MATATO – PATA Maldives Chapter (@matatoMV) April 9, 2024

The association members also recently met with Munu Mahawar, the Indian high commissioner in Maldives, to collaborate closely with his office to boost tourism initiatives.

Dubbing the meeting with Mahawar “positive,” Ghiyas said the high commission has offered assistance to the association. “Once we have a concrete plan, we will definitely follow up with the High Commission and share our plans.”

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Tags: asia monthly , china , india outbound , islands , maldives , social media , tourism marketing

Photo credit: Ritz Carlton Maldives Fari Islands. Fari Islands