Tourist arrivals so far this year exceeds total arrivals last year

Tourism Ministry, on Friday, revealed that Maldives saw 1.49 million tourist arrivals by the end of November.

Statistics publicized by Tourism Ministry show that Maldives saw 146,879 tourist arrivals this November. Arrivals were lower in last year’s November, being, 144,725.

Total tourist arrivals at the end of November stood at 1.49 million. During the same period last year, Maldives saw 1.15 million tourist arrivals. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, Maldives saw 1.53 million tourist arrivals for the same period.

The largest tourist market to the Maldives this year is India with 209,725 arrivals making up 14 percent of the total arrivals. Russia stands at second with 182,373 arrivals amounting to 12.2 percent of the total arrivals. At third is UK, with 162,020 arrivals, making up 10.9 percent of the total arrivals.

The daily average of tourist arrivals as at the end of November is 4,465, with an average duration of stay of 8.2 days.

Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, in November, stated that the government’s tourist arrival target for the year, 1.6 million, will be reached in late December.