Tourist arrivals increase by 14.9 percent in Maldives

Records released by Tourism Ministry show a 14.9 percent boost in tourist arrivals from January-November 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

The latest arrival records, released by Tourism Ministry last Tuesday, show 1.53 million tourists to have visited Maldives from January-November 2019.

Tourism Minister Ali Waheed said the numbers had further increased to 1.6 million tourists by December 15.

The biggest source market for local tourism this year had been China with 267,875 arrivals.

TOP SOURCE MARKETS (JANUARY-NOVEMBER 2019):

• China: 267,875 arrivals
• India: 145,047 arrivals
• Germany: 120,168 arrivals
• Italy: 115,049 arrivals
• UK: 114,222 arrivals

Tourism Minister Ali Waheed said that 130 new tourist facilities began operations this year; 21 resorts, 101 guesthouses, one hotel, five vessels, and one bareboat.

Meanwhile, 13 new resorts are scheduled to open the coming year.

Maldives currently has 898 tourist properties in operation, excluding resorts closed down for maintenance or transfer of registration. The number of tourist beds in operation is 49,140 beds.