China set to become Maldives’ top tourism market by year-end

Maldives is witnessing a surge in tourism arrivals from China, signalling a significant shift in its tourism landscape. Tourism Minister Dr Abdulla Mausoom predicts that by the end of the year, China will surpass all other countries to become the number one source market for tourism in the Maldives.

This year alone, the Maldives has welcomed 133,962 tourists from China, constituting 10 percent of the total 1.3 million tourist arrivals. The numbers have been steadily rising, with 78,158 Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives as of July this year. In the following one and a half months, over 50,000 more tourists have arrived from China.

Currently, Russia holds the top position in terms of tourist arrivals, with 152,967 visitors, representing 11.7 percent of the total. India follows closely behind, with 144,041 tourists, accounting for 11 percent.

China is quickly closing the gap, standing at just 1.5 percent behind Russia and 0.8 percent behind India in terms of arrivals. Mausoom believes that if this trend continues, China will take the lead as the Maldives’ primary tourism market before the year’s end.