Ministry of Tourism’s revised forecast reveals that the Maldives will record 1.5 million tourist arrivals and more than 10 million bed nights in 2021. Additionally, the ministry predicts that the Maldives will reach 500,000 tourist arrivals in 2020 by 19th December 2020.
On Saturday, 12th December 2020, the 100,000th tourist arrived in the Maldives, since the border reopening. Hence, the country has reached the target set earlier in 15th July after the tropical Holiday destination reopened its borders. Furthermore, on 6th December 2020, the Maldives witnessed the highest number of tourist arrivals since the border reopening with over 3000 visitors to the island nation.
Earlier in November 2020, the Maldives claimed the prestigious ‘World’s Leading Destination 2020’ award at the 27th edition of the World Travel Awards. This is the first time the island archipelago has claimed the distinguished title.
In 2019, the Maldives welcomed a record-breaking 1.7 million tourists. Meanwhile, the island nation forecast 2 million tourist arrivals to the Maldives in 2020. But, the global COVID-19 pandemic brought the island nation tourism industry to a standstill for about 4 months. This had an immense impact on the socio-economic lives of Maldivians. And also everyone associated with the tourism industry.
Also read: Choosing a Villa in the Maldives: Beach, Overwater or Underwater?
Then, the Maldives reopened its borders on 15th July 2020 with enhanced precautionary measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Afterwards, resorts in the Maldives started reopening its doors to tourists once again. Likewise, Maldives resorts offer natural isolation thanks to the one-island-one-resort concept.
On 15th October 2020, guesthouses outside the greater Malé Region were granted permission to reopen its doors. Meanwhile, guesthouses in the greater Malé Region will reopen tomorrow, 14th December 2020.
Tourist arrivals have started steadily growing after the Maldives reopened its borders. Furthermore, colliding with the holiday season arrivals have further increased in November and December 2020.
