The Maldives has recorded 16,405 tourist arrivals since the border reopening from 15th July 2020 to 23rd September 2020. According to the World Tourism Day Supplement 2020 by the Ministry of Tourism, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the leading source market in terms of tourist arrivals with a market share of 15.9%, since the border reopening.
The island nation welcomed an average of 4,206 tourists daily prior to the border closure. However, since the border reopening Maldives has been welcoming an average of 238 visitors per day. Statistics reveal 2607, 1745, and 1597 arrivals from UAE, Russia, and the USA respectively, as the top 3 leading tourist markets from 15th July to 23rd September 2020.
The United Kingdom came in at 4th place with 1445 arrivals, a market share of 8.8%. Followed by, 955 arrivals from Spain with a market share of 5.8%. Meanwhile, Germany was ranked as the top 6th top source market with 720 arrivals and a market share of 4.4%. France followed with 562 arrivals and a market share of 3.4%. Furthermore, with 546, 443 and 397 arrivals, Brazil, Ukraine, and Egypt came in as the 8th, 9th, and 10th highest performing markets since the border reopening.
Figures from the Ministry of Tourism indicate that a total of 223 tourist facilities are in operation as of 23rd September 2020. This includes 82 resorts, 03 hotels (in uninhabited islands), 106 Safari vessels, and 32 transit facilities (Greater Male’ Region).
Also read: Minister of Tourism Inaugurates “Maldives Border Miles” Program
prior to the border closure, the Maldives has welcomed a total of 382,760 tourists from around the globe. Since the border reopening the island nation welcomed 1,752 tourists in July 2020. Meanwhile, in August, the Maldives welcomed a total of 7628 tourists and 7,076 tourists from 1st September to 23rd September 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic which brought the worldwide travel industry to an abrupt halt from February 2020 took its toll on Maldives tourism as arrivals saw a decline of -11% in February. However, Arrivals have started increasing slowly since the border reopening.
