Tourist arrivals to the Maldives increased by 15% this year compared to 2020. However, arrivals have decreased by 39% compared to 2019.
According to the statistics from the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, 440,295 tourists arrived in the tropical holiday destination between 1st January 2021 and 22nd May 2021. During the same period in 2020, 382,775 tourists arrived in the Maldives. Furthermore, during this period in 2019, 722,253 tourists visited the island archipelago.
The statistics reveal tourists spent an average of 9 days in the Maldives this year. Compared to the early months of this year, the duration tourists spend in the Maldives has significantly increased. Likewise, the island nation witnessed an average of 3,101 tourist arrivals per day until 22nd May 2021.
It should be noted that the Maldives’ borders were closed from 27th March 2020 to 15th July 2020.
During the first few months after the tropical holiday destination reopened its borders, a high number of tourists visited the Maldives from the United Arab Emirates.
Also read: Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa is the Most Picture-Perfect Hotel in the World
Then, arrivals from Russia spiked after Aeroflot started operations to the Maldives. For the rest of the year, Russia continued to retain its position as one of the leading tourist source markets. In 2021, Russia is currently the leading tourist source market.
The successful recovery of the Maldives’ tourism industry would be incomplete without India. In 2020, Maldives became the most trendy holiday destination for Indians. Moreover, since the Maldives reopened the borders, India was the biggest tourist source market until the COVID-19 crisis in the neighbouring nation.
This year, Maldives expects to welcome over 1.5 million tourists. Other reports from industry experts suggest the island nation will witness at least 1.2 million tourist arrivals in 2021. A recent report from the World Bank reveals that Maldives’ GDP will grow by 17.1% in 2021 and 11.5% in 2022 thanks to tourism.
