The Maldives recorded 4,700 tourist arrivals yesterday, 12th February 2021. This is the highest number of arrivals the tropical holiday destination witnessed in 2021.
With the 4,700 tourist arrivals in a single-day, tourism Minister of the Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom tweeted thanking everyone for their contributions towards the Maldives’ tourism recovery. Likewise, with the nationwide vaccination in progress minister said tourism outlook is very promising.
Earlier this month, Minister Mausoom also revealed that the Maldives will become one of the first nations to start ‘Vaccine Tourism’. Meanwhile, frontline employees in the tourism and aviation industry have started receiving their vaccine. The Maldives vaccinated a total of 27,367 people as of 12th February 2021.
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Looking at the latest statistics from the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, the island archipelago has recorded 121,692 tourist arrivals by 10th February 2021. Meanwhile, Russia continues to retain its position as the leading tourist source market. 28 airlines are currently operating flights between the Maldives. As of 10th February 2021, Emirates carried the highest number of passengers to the Maldives.
In addition to that, Maldives is seeing an optimistic recovery from Central/Eastern European, the South Asia region and some markets from the Middle East. This year, tourist arrivals from Uzbekistan grew by a whopping 493.3%. Meanwhile, arrivals from Kazakhstan grew by 208%.
Arrivals from Russia, which is currently the leading tourist source market, grew by 74.6% this year. The Maldives has also witnessed growth from other markets including; Ukraine, Romania, Brazil and even the neighbouring India.
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Despite the optimistic recovery from these markets the Maldives is yet to regain visitors from the holiday destination’s biggest source market over the years; China. However, with the COVID-19 vaccination drive and more initiatives, the Maldives’ tourism industry is steadily recovering. And the island nation aims to welcome 1.5 million tourists in 2021.
Feature image by LUX* South Ari Atoll
