Maldives sees 10% surge in tourist arrivals

The Maldives has seen a 10% increase in tourist arrivals so far this year compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

In figures released on September 18, 1.4 million tourists had visited the Maldives in 2024, surpassing the 1.3 million recorded by the same date in 2023. The ministry highlighted that the 10% growth reflects the country’s continued appeal as a top global destination.

For September alone, 76,040 tourists visited the Maldives in the first 18 days, up 3% from the 73,807 tourists during the same period in 2022. On average, the Maldives has welcomed over 4,200 tourists daily, with visitors spending an average of 7.8 days in the archipelago.

The report also listed the top five markets contributing to the growth in tourism. China leads with 209,791 tourists so far this year, followed by Russia with 155,900 tourists. The United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany round out the top five, with 122,839, 104,574, and 101,425 tourists, respectively.

The Ministry of Tourism noted that there are currently 1,227 tourist facilities across the Maldives, offering a total of 62,864 beds to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Furthermore, 42 airlines are currently flying to the Maldives, and this number is expected to increase with the upcoming tourism season.

To meet its goal of welcoming 2 million tourists by the end of the year, the government is preparing to open a portion of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA). The new terminal is set to enhance the country’s capacity to receive more visitors and ensure smooth travel during the peak season.