Tourism Industry Highlights for July 2021

We have rounded up the tourism industry highlights for July 2021. Looking at the statistics, tourist arrivals have increased in July 2021 compared to June 2021.

One of the leading tourist source markets, India made comeback in July as the Maldives reopened its borders for South Asian travellers. Arrivals saw a dramatic increase by the end of the 4th week of the month with the daily average increasing from 1,827 to 3,204.

Diving even more into the statistics, arrivals have exceeded the 2020 annual total of 555,494. With this, the Maldives moves another step closer to achieving its target to welcome 1.5 million tourists in 2021.

COVID-19 situation in the Maldives has also impr o ved with locals now allowed to travel without quarantine (to islands that aren’t under monitoring) if they received 2 doses of the vaccine. Many residents in the capital visited islands for the Eid holidays with this ease.

The government of the Maldives has also secured enough vaccines for the entire eligible population of the country.

More chapters are written into Maldives’ tourism success story every month. And this success is certainly visible from these top tourism industry highlights of July 2021.

Arrivals in 2021 exceed the annual total of 2020

A little more than a year since the island nation reopened its borders, in mid-July tourist arrivals to the Maldives exceeded the annual total of 2020. In addition to that, within the first 6 months of this year, arrivals have increased by 56.2% compared to the previous year.

Tourist arrivals in 2021 surpass 600,000

Towards the end of the month on 28th July, tourist arrivals have surpassed 600,000. From 1st January 2021 to 28th July 2021, Russia has been the Maldives’ biggest individual tourist source market. Meanwhile, neighbouring India ranked at second place among the leading individual markets.

Maldives resumes issuing visas for South Asian travellers

Maldives resumed issuing on-arrival tourist visas to South Asian travellers on 15th July 2021. Colliding with this, the daily average of tourist arrivals increased as well. Likewise, one of Maldives’ leading tourist source markets, India has made a comeback.

Accor Announces Plans to bring S/O Hotels & Resorts to the Maldives

Accor signed a hotel management agreement with S Hotels and Resorts Public Company Limited and Wai Eco World Developer Pte. Ltd. (WEWD) to introduce SO/ Hotels & Resorts to the Maldives.

Scheduled to open in 2023, the new resort will nestle on the third island of CROSSROADS Maldives. Furthermore, Accor currently operates 05 resorts in the Maldives.

World Travel Awards nominates the Maldives in 10 regional categories

World Travel Awards nominated the Maldives in 10 prestigious regional categories for its 28th annual programme. The Maldives claimed the coveted title of the ‘World’s Leading Destination’ last year.

The Maldives is nominated for the following Indian ocean categories:

Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board 2021: Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation
Indian Ocean’s Leading Wedding Destination 2021
Indian Ocean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2021

Abu Dhabi adds the Maldives to the green list

Towards the end of July 2021, Abu Dhabi updated its quarantine-free travel green list with the inclusion of the Maldives. The Emirate added eight countries; Bahrain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and the Maldives to the updated list.

With this, travellers who fly to and from the Maldives will no longer need to self-isolate once they return to Abu Dhabi.

Tourist arrivals will possibly increase further in the coming months with peak arrivals season around the corner. To keep up with the latest travel trends and news, follow us on Twitter and join our travel community on Facebook.

Feature image by Accor

Unwind, reconnect and rediscover yourself with ancient Maldivian healing practices at Hoba Spa by Oaga Resorts. Oaga is thrilled to announce the arrival of renowned healer and spa practitioner Aishath Zulfishan (Xubba) from May 2nd to 25th, 2024. She is not just a healer but also a master of creating traditional Maldivian medicinal therapies.

Xubba: A Visionary Healer

Xubba is a pioneer and a global award winner in the spa field. She is the first to introduce traditional Maldivian medicine (Dhivehi Beys) to the spa experience. With over 18 years of dedicated experience and a deep respect for ancestral wisdom, she is a driving force behind Hoba Spa’s philosophy. Here, modern expertise seamlessly blends with time-tested practices, creating a truly groundbreaking concept.

A Holistic Journey with Xubba

Xubba believes in a holistic approach to well-being, encompassing mind, body, and soul. Her healing philosophy centres on connecting with your conscious mind and fostering a deeper bond with your subconscious and emotional self. This translates into highly personalised therapies rooted in touch and intuitive healing, acknowledging the unique needs of each individual.

Experience the Power of Nature’s Touch

During her residency at Hoba Spa, Xubba will offer insights into the range of personalised treatments using her specially formulated oils. These handcrafted blends passed down through generations, harness the power of nature’s bounty.

Embrace the Hoba Spa Experience

Hoba Spa’s philosophy is deeply rooted in Maldivian tradition, evident in its very name. “Hoba” translates to “kindness and balance” in ancient Dhivehi, reflecting the spa’s commitment to holistic well-being.

Your Hoba Spa journey begins at the Bodu Ashi, a traditional Maldivian entrance. Here, you set your intentions with ancient Dhivehi words. Experience bespoke therapies, a fusion of modern-day techniques and Maldivian practices, or immerse yourself in the Fen Vadaa hydrotherapy circuit, inspired by Maldivian traditions. Depending on the therapy of your choice, you can witness the creation of your personalised oil blend in the Atharuge’, a place inspired by traditional royal perfumeries. Finally, you can also enhance your experience with the Sandhu Moon rituals influenced by the moon phases, incorporating incorporating specific yoga asanas, sound healing, and more.

Join Xubba at Hoba Spa this May and embark on a transformative journey of rediscovery. Reconnect with yourself, embrace the power of ancient traditions, and experience a new dimension of well-being.