The number of tourist arrivals is expected to cross 500,000 next month.
Statistics publicized by the Tourism Ministry show 494,924 tourists have arrived in the Maldives thus far this year. While 555,494 tourists visited the Maldives in 2020, the number of arrivals will cross last year's number with the arrival of 60,656 additional tourists.
The average daily arrival figure is currently 1,843. This June, 40,541 tourists have arrived thus far. Even if the same number of tourists arrive in Maldives next month, the total number of arrivals this year would exceed half a million.
The Maldives recently experienced an alarming surge in COVID-19 infections due to the Delta or Indian variant of the COVID-19 virus. The numbers are now declining due to the strict measures imposed by authorities. Therefore, it is believed that tourist arrivals will increase within the next month, with average daily arrivals topping 2,000.
The current tourism trend shows last-minute bookings are frequent. Therefore, it is likely that the arrival numbers could suddenly increase significantly. While it is expected that the Maldives will soon resume hosting Indian tourists, which is a popular tourist market, the arrival numbers are expected to increase further.
According to the Tourism Ministry, tourists spend an average of nine days in the Maldives. Despite the arrival numbers remaining the same, the increase in average duration of stay increases tourism revenue.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, the Maldives welcomed a record number of tourists in 2019. While 40,541 tourists have visited the Maldives thus far this year, the number was double, at 82,435 during the same period in 2019. No tourists visited the Maldives during this time last year as the archipelago had closed its borders to tourists at that time.
The government hopes to welcome between 1 million and 1.5 million tourists this year. The arrival figures for next month will give an idea whether this goal can be reached this year.
