The Maldives is rapidly approaching its annual tourist arrival target, with an impressive 1,505,366 arrivals recorded thus far this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism’s latest daily statistics report published.

This figure marks a substantial 13.4 percent increase from the 1,327,962 arrivals reported during the same period the previous year and a remarkable growth compared to the 996,877 arrivals recorded in 2021.

Breaking down the figures, the total arrivals for 2023 include 172,499 tourists in January, 177,915 in February, 173,514 in March, 164,357 in April, 120,959 in May, 120,363 in June, 145,629 in July, 154,854 in August, and 130,967 in September. Even though there was a slight dip in arrivals in May and June, the numbers remained consistently above 100,000 arrivals.

In October alone, the Maldives welcomed 144,318 tourists between the 1st and 28th, representing a 5.1 percent surge compared to the 137,333 arrivals in the same period the previous year and the 126,015 tourists welcomed during the same timeframe in 2021. The daily average for 2023 stands at 5,001, while for October, it is slightly higher at 5,154, with tourists typically staying for an average of seven days.

Notably, the Maldives celebrated its one millionth tourist arrival of the year on July 16, signaling the nation’s resilience as a prime tourism destination. The daily arrivals for October demonstrate a consistent and promising upward trend, as more tourists flock to this idyllic paradise.

With the encouraging numbers, the Maldives appears to be edging closer to its ambitious target of welcoming 1.9 million tourists by the end of the year, surpassing the earlier estimate of 1.81 million arrivals. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had previously announced the country’s goal to welcome 3.5 million tourists annually by 2028.

Analyzing the daily statistics, it is evident that Russia maintains its status as the top source market for tourist arrivals, contributing 11.5 percent of the market share with 172,472 arrivals as of October 28. Although India held the top position earlier in the year, Russia reclaimed its spot. In 2022, India ended as the leading source market for Maldives tourism, but Russia dominated during June, emerging as the frontrunner for the first few months of the year.

India now stands in second place with 163,513 arrivals, making up 10.9 percent of the total arrivals, while China follows closely in third place with 10.8 percent and 163,036 arrivals. Other significant contributors to Maldives’ tourism sector in 2023 include the United Kingdom (8 percent with 121,166 arrivals), Germany (7 percent with 105,862 arrivals), Italy (6 percent with 89,725 arrivals), the United States (3.9 percent with 58,695 arrivals), France (2.7 percent with 40,500 arrivals), Spain (2.1 percent with 32,286 arrivals), and Switzerland (1.9 percent with 29,255 arrivals).

Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom expressed optimism about achieving the 1.9 million tourist arrival target for the year. He noted that the predictions indicated that 14 million bed nights would be observed in 2023, an increase of 1.7 million from the previous year. These positive forecasts are in line with the Ministry of Finance’s calculations, which anticipate a surge in tourism growth in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and projecting increased arrivals and bed nights in various scenarios.

The government’s fifth tourism master plan prioritizes achieving these targets and enhancing the tourism sector’s services to visitors. Plans are also underway to expand tourism to the numerous islands that make up the Maldives, ensuring that this picturesque destination continues to thrive as a magnet for travelers. Since the introduction of tourism in the Maldives in 1972, the country has remained a beacon of natural beauty and serenity, drawing in eager tourists for half a century.

Image credits: Avas Mv