The Maldives has received a record number of tourist arrivals in the early months of 2024, marking a 14.84 percent increase when juxtaposed with the corresponding timeframe in the preceding year, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry recorded the arrival of 409,777 tourists from January through February this year, which signifies a considerable increment from the 350,414 tourists visited the country during the same period in 2023.
February 2024 has been recorded as a historic month for the Maldivian tourism sector, welcoming over 200,000 tourists for the first time in a single month. The total number of tourists visited the Maldives in February 2024 stood at 217,392, marking a 22.2 percent year-on-year increment from the 177,915 recorded in February 2023. As of 3 March, 431,002 tourists had visited the country.
China continues to lead as the top source market for the Maldives this year, with 55,087 tourists visiting as of 3 March, accounting for 12.8 percent of the market share. Russia and Italy follow closely, with 42,358 and 41,162 tourists, respectively. The United Kingdom and Germany also feature 38,510 and 27,563 arrivals, respectively. Other countries on the top ten source market lists include India, France, the United States, Poland, and Switzerland.
The government has set the target of attracting more than two million tourists this year, and over 400,000 visitors have been welcomed during the first two months. In alignment with this goal, the tourism ministry and associated promotional agencies have intensified their marketing strategies targeting the Maldives’ top source markets.
As part of these efforts, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) is showcasing the Maldives at the world’s largest tourism trade fair, Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB Berlin) 2024, alongside 106 co-exhibitors from the Maldivian tourist sector.
