Maldives Welcomes Record-Breaking 200,000 Tourists in a Month

Maldives has reached a historic milestone, welcoming over 200,000 tourists in a single month for the first time. As of February 26th, the Ministry of Tourism announced the arrival of the 200,000th visitor, marking a 20% increase compared to February 2023 (177,000 arrivals).

This surge in tourism is attributed, in part, to a significant rise in arrivals from China. So far this year, 52,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives, constituting 13% of the total arrivals and solidifying China as the leading tourist source market. This number is expected to rise further, as several Chinese airlines have announced upcoming direct flights to the Maldives, joining existing routes by Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern, and Sichuan Airlines.

Overall, the Maldives has received a total of 390,000 tourists in the first two months of 2024, signifying a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This positive trend aligns with the government’s ambitious target of attracting 2.3 million tourists this year, exceeding the initial budget projection of 2 million.

Top 10 Tourist Source Markets to Maldives (2024):

1. China
2. Russia
3. Italy
4. United Kingdom
5. India
6. Germany
7. France
8. United States
9. Poland
10. Switzerland

The Ministry of Tourism is optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in the Maldives, with the expectation of continued growth and diversification of tourist markets.