Surge in Tourist Arrivals Highlights Maldives as a Top Destination

Latest Tourism Statistics

The Ministry of Tourism has unveiled its latest daily statistics showing a remarkable influx of tourists into the Maldives. As of March 22, 569,119 visitors have graced the islands, marking a noteworthy 5.1% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024, which saw 541,471 arrivals. This indicates a robust recovery trajectory compared to the 478,924 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2023.

Monthly Breakdown of Arrivals

Looking at the numbers for March alone, a total of 140,165 visitors arrived, showing an impressive 6.4% surge from the 131,694 visitors in the same month last year, along with a notable increase from 128,510 arrivals in March 2023.

Accommodation Preferences

A significant portion of the arrivals has opted for resort accommodations, with 393,578 tourists, representing 69.2% of the total, choosing to stay at these luxurious venues. The remaining accommodations included:

• Guesthouses: 144,645 arrivals (25.4%)
• Hotels: 16,445 arrivals (2.9%)
• Liveaboard vessels: 14,127 arrivals (2.5%)
• Other facilities: 324 arrivals (0.1%)

Performance by Month

Between January 1 and January 31, the Maldives attracted 214,863 tourists, reflecting an 11.7% increase from the 192,385 arrivals during the same month in 2023. February welcomed 214,091 tourists, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to the previous February but higher than the 177,915 guests in February 2023. Additionally, the daily average number of arrivals during these months has been impressive, with:

• January: 6,931 tourists daily
• February: 7,646 tourists daily
• March (current average): 6,371 tourists daily

Accommodation Landscape

The Maldives currently boasts 1,185 operational tourist accommodation establishments, comprising 175 resorts, 15 hotels, 838 guesthouses, and 157 liveaboard vessels. The total bed capacity across these options stands at 62,587, including:

• 43,217 beds in resorts
• 2,038 beds in hotels
• 14,188 beds in guesthouses
• 3,144 beds in safari vessels

This distribution highlights the vibrant and diverse landscape of accommodation options available for travelers.

Leading Source Markets

According to the latest data, China has firmly established itself as the leading source market for tourist arrivals to the Maldives, contributing 12.1% of the market share with 69,010 arrivals. Following closely are:

• Russia: 59,636 arrivals (10.5% market share)
• United Kingdom: 57,944 arrivals (10.2% market share)
• Italy: 53,252 arrivals (9.4% market share)
• Germany: 39,856 arrivals (7% market share)
• India: 28,141 arrivals (4.9% market share)
• France: 23,520 arrivals (4.1% market share)
• United States: 17,910 arrivals (3.1% market share)
• Poland: 12,623 arrivals (2.2% market share)
• Switzerland: 12,341 arrivals (2.2% market share)

Long-Term Trends in Maldivian Tourism

Reflecting on previous years, the Maldives welcomed 2,046,615 visitors in 2024 compared to 1,878,543 in 2023. This growth trajectory signals a strong recovery as tourism steadily resurfaces in the region.

The Maldives, often referred to as a pristine jewel of the Indian Ocean, has been enchanting travelers since it introduced tourism in 1972. With every passing year, the islands reaffirm their appeal through unmatched hospitality and breathtaking scenery.

Examining these statistics provides critical insights into the direction of tourism in the Maldives and the potential impact on travel-related services, including taxi and transfer services for visitors. Understanding the trends in tourist arrivals allows companies to tailor their offerings, ensuring that logistics—from airport transfers to transport services around islands—are efficient and cater to the needs of a growing influx of tourists.

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