Maldives Records Over 450,000 Tourist Arrivals in 2021

The Maldives has recorded over 450,000 tourist arrivals in 2021. According to the statistics from the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, the island nation witnessed 451,393 tourist arrivals between 1st January 2021 and 29th May 2021.

According to the figures, tourist arrivals have increased by 17.9% compared to the same period last year. Although the borders of the Maldives were closed from March 2020 to July 2020.

Despite recording 450,000 tourist arrivals in 2021, compared to the previous months, tourist arrivals to the Maldives have dropped in May 2021. The decrease of arrivals from India and the South Asian market due to the COVID-19 crisis is mainly responsible for this decline.

From 1st January 2021 to 29th May 2021, tourists spent an average of 9 days in the Maldives. Furthermore, the Maldives witnessed an average of 3,029 visitors during this period. And as of 29th May, Russia is the leading tourist source market to the Maldives.

With rigorous COVID-19 measures and a geographical advantage, the Maldives is one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. Crowned as the World’s Leading Destination in 2020, the island nation revolutionized how people can vacation in the new normal.

Also read: Ukrainian Singer Ani Lorak Features Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru in New Music Video

The tropical holiday destination aims to welcome 1.5 million tourists in 2021. With 450,000 arrivals reached by yesterday, the country has already completed over 30% of its visitor target.

To attract more visitors, the Maldives announced plans to vaccinate tourists with the ‘visit, vaccinate, vacation’ initiative. Tourism Minister of the Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom stated that this initiative will begin once all the residents of the island nation get fully vaccinated. According to the Ministry of Tourism, 65% of resort workers in the Maldives are fully vaccinated.

The ministry in partnership with stakeholders launched a campaign to share a positive message about the vaccination of staff working in the tourism sector. Furthermore, the I’m Vaccinated Campaign promotes the initiatives undertaken to guarantee the Maldives retains its status as one of the safest destinations in the world for travellers.

Feature image by Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

Marriott International proudly announces the successful completion of the inaugural KURIMAGU Leadership Program. This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to nurturing and empowering local Maldivian talent within the hospitality industry. The graduation ceremony took place on 29 November 2024, at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. It celebrated the achievements of the program’s first cohort. The cohort included 29 associates from Marriott’s resorts across the Maldives.

Mark Fletcher, Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore & Maldives at Marriott International, expressed his pride in the program’s success:

“We are incredibly proud of the progress made by the first cohort of KURIMAGU participants. KURIMAGU is more than just a leadership development program – it’s a platform for Maldivian talent to thrive. By empowering our associates with the tools and support to excel in leadership roles, we are shaping the future of Marriott while contributing to the long-term growth and prosperity of the Maldives’ hospitality industry. This is a critical part of our ongoing commitment to investing in and developing local talent for sustainable success”

A Year of Dynamic Learning and Growth

The KURIMAGU Leadership Program is a transformative 12-month initiative designed to develop the leadership potential of local talent. It prepares participants for key roles within Marriott and the broader hospitality industry. Graduates came from renowned properties including Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, W Maldives, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort & Spa, and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. Marriott’s continued support for this initiative highlights its dedication to creating a pipeline of future leaders for the Maldives hospitality sector.

Over the past year, participants have engaged in an enriching learning experience. The curriculum included both in-person and virtual training sessions, self-paced e-learning, structured mentoring, cross-disciplinary exposure, and collaborative group learning. Participants also had opportunities to interact with senior leaders through insightful fireside chats. During these chats, they received valuable feedback on their career progression. Mentorship from seasoned hoteliers guided their development, fostering both personal and professional growth. This collaborative environment encouraged participants to share experiences. Learn from each other, and build lasting networks that enhanced their leadership capabilities.

Marriott International remains dedicated to nurturing local talent and fostering a culture of growth and leadership. The KURIMAGU Leadership Program reflects Marriott’s core value of “Putting People First” and contributes to the long-term success of both the company and the Maldives’ hospitality industry. Through initiatives like KURIMAGU, Marriott International aims to build a strong pipeline of talented individuals, ready to assume greater responsibilities and lead the future of the hospitality sector in the Maldives and beyond.

Maldives Records Over 450,000 Tourist Arrivals in 2021

Also read: Ukrainian Singer Ani Lorak Features Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru in New Music Video

Feature image by Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

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