The Maldives is set to achieve a major milestone, with its 2 millionth tourist of the year expected to arrive next Thursday, marking a record-breaking achievement for 2024.
Key Highlights:
- Tourist Arrivals So Far: As of Sunday, 1,978,252 tourists have visited the Maldives, with the target of 2 million arrivals anticipated later this week.
- December Surge: The first 21 days of December saw 131,436 arrivals, a 7.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023, when 122,653 tourists were recorded.
- Year-on-Year Growth: Total arrivals this year stand at 1.96 million, reflecting a 9% increase from last year’s 1.81 million arrivals.
Market Trends:
- China has emerged as the top source market for Maldives tourism in 2024, overtaking India, which held the leading position last year.
- Russia and the United Kingdom occupy the second and third spots, respectively, underscoring a shift in market dynamics.
Government and Industry Efforts:
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal attributed this success to the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, industry stakeholders, and government leadership.
This milestone reaffirms the Maldives’ status as a premier global travel destination and highlights the effectiveness of its strategy to achieve the ambitious target of 2 million tourists in 2024.
