Tourist arrivals for 2023 reached 1.2 million by 6 September, staying on course for the government’s 1.9 million arrivals target.
Before the industry’s traditional peak season with the busy Christmas-New Year period, tourist arrivals have increased 14% compared to the same period in 2022. A total of 1,254,252 was recorded by 6 September with a daily average of 5,037 tourist arrivals.
Russia remains the top market with 147,187 tourists as of 6 September, representing a 11.7% market share, followed by India (138,104 tourists), China (124,549), the UK (102,253 tourists), and Germany (82,734 tourists).
After double digit growth on average since January, the first decline in a 2023 month was registered in May. Tourist arrivals in May was down -3.6% compared to the same period in 2022. But arrivals were 15.5% higher compared to pre-pandemic levels in May 2019. Growth picked up in June with 120,363 visitors as of 28 June, up 7% from the same period last year.
The Maldives welcomed the one millionth tourist of the year on 16 July. As the tourism industry has recovered to pre-pandemic levels faster than expected, the government’s arrivals target for 2023 had been revised upwards from 1.8 million to 1.9 million tourists.
There are 172 resorts, 162 safari vessels and 927 hotels and guesthouses in operation across the country with a combined bed capacity of 62,236.
