The Maldives welcomed 706,468 holidaymakers by 1 June as tourist arrivals in May surpassed the pre-pandemic record.
A total of 125,522 tourists arrived in May, a whopping 94.3% increase from the same period last year. After monthly figures fell short of pre-pandemic levels in previous months, arrivals in May 2022 was up 22% from May 2019. Total arrivals however is still -6.1% below the first five months of 2019.
India remains the top market with 99,614 visitors as of 1 June, followed by the United Kingdom (88,043), Russia (67,088), Germany (59,731), and Italy (45,198).
The May arrivals record prompted the tourism ministry to declare that the “Maldives is now a year-round destination.” The record signals a shift from the “seasonal tourism” that prevailed with a peak period from December to March, Tourism Minister Dr Abdulla Mausoom told the press, expressing optimism for future prospects with more favourable global conditions.
May was only the fourth month – after August, October and November 2021 – to record an increase in arrivals compared to the corresponding pre-pandemic period since borders reopened in July 2020.
