Saudi Arabia among Maldives’ top 10 tourist markets for first time

In a notable development, Saudi Arabia has secured a position among the top ten countries with the highest tourist arrivals to the Maldives for the first time, according to statistics from the Tourism Ministry.

The data reveals that 1,182 tourists have already visited the Maldives from Saudi Arabia this year. Contrasting with last year’s rankings, where Saudi Arabia averaged between the 13th and 20th positions for most arrivals, the current inclusion in the top ten signifies a significant shift.

In January 2023 alone, 1,400 tourists from Saudi Arabia visited the Maldives, and this number is anticipated to surpass expectations in the remaining two weeks of the month.

Last year, approximately 30,000 tourists arrived in the Maldives from Saudi Arabia. The current top ten countries with the most tourist arrivals include Russia, Italy, India, England, Germany, China, Kazakhstan, and now, Saudi Arabia.

The overall trend indicates a steady increase in tourist arrivals to the Maldives annually, particularly after the impact of the pandemic. In 2022, around 80,000 tourists visited the Maldives from Middle Eastern countries, showcasing a rising interest in the destination. Apart from Saudi Arabia, there has been a notable surge in tourists from the UAE and Kuwait.

As of now, in the ongoing year, the Maldives has welcomed a total of 51,000 tourists to the country.