Tourism statistics have indicated the Indian Ocean archipelago has already attracted more than half a million foreign travelers gracing its resort islands.
Tourism Ministry has confirmed the island nation has been visited by a total of 539,816 travelers during the first four months (January to April) which is a 12.7% jump from 2017's 478,827 tourists visiting Maldives during the same period.
China is still unwavering in being the biggest single nation tourist market to the Maldives tourism industry with neat 16.2% market share. Statistics report a total of 87,632 Chinese travelers have visited Maldives from January through April 2018. However this is a considerable slip of 6.9% from last year's 94,110 visitors from the country.
Europe contributes to local tourism the most with a 55% market-share; however this figure is realized after combining all European countries with visitors to Maldives year-in and year-out.
So far 301,567 European travelers from its southern and northern corners have graced the Maldivian resort islands which more than makes up for the drop in Chinese market as it is a splendid 18.2% jump from last year's. In 2017 a total of 255,229 travelers from the European continent visited Maldives from January through April.
Tourist visits from European countries; Jan - Apr 2018
- * Italy - 49,878 (19.3% jump from 41,795 in 2017)
- * UK - 43,499 (13% jump from 38,505 in 2017)
- * Germany - 41,876 (10% jump from 38,065 in 2017)
- * Russia - 30,848 (29% jump from 23,800 in 2017)
Neighboring India has attracted 25,023 tourists to Maldives between January to April which is a bump of 11.1% from 22,518 travelers in 2017.
