Tourism

European tourist hike breathes new life into Maldives tourism

  • Tourist arrival increase from all over Europe
  • Important markets strengthened
  • England improved the most

The economic problems faced by some European countries and terror problems faced by others had been a setback to Maldivian tourism. The attempts to boycott Maldivian tourism over the ongoing political strife in the archipelago had also adversely affected the linchpin of the economy.

The European market had also suffered, but those obstacles appears to have passed and the European market is on the rise again. Statistics toward the end of the year show that the European market is improving and that it is breathing life to the ailing Maldivian tourism.

Statistics released by the Tourism Ministry show that 381,350 tourists arrived in the Maldives from Europe, by the end of September last year. By the same time this year, 407,166 tourists have arrived. This is a 6.8 percent increase. Tourists to the Maldives has increased from all over Europe.

31,825 tourists have arrived from Russia so far this year. This is a 2.8% increase from last year's 30,967. 2990 arrived in September alone and this is 2.9% increase from last years 2,309.

European Market in short

  • English market sees 11% increase
  • Russian market sees 2.8% increase
  • Italian market sees 8.8% increase

English tourists have increased from 68,519 last year to 76,083 this year. Italy saw an increase of 8.8% with tourists rising from 46,823 to 50,922 this year.

The Tourism Ministry has only revealed records up to September this year, as it celebrated the arrival of the millionth tourist. With the main tourism season on the horizon, the count is expected to rise even higher.