India has emerged as the leading tourism market for the Maldives, outpacing Russia for the second time this year, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Tourism.
The Maldives, globally acclaimed for its pristine beaches and luxurious resorts, has witnessed an unprecedented influx of tourists, with the total number of arrivals reaching 1,834,759 as of 25 December. This milestone marks a new record for the island nation, surpassing the national tourist arrival target for 2023, which was set at 1.8 million. The landmark was achieved on 20 December.
India’s ascendancy in the tourism market is underscored by its 11.2 percent market share, translating to 205,278 visitors. Russia, a long-standing dominant market, now trails closely with an 11.1 percent market share, amounting to 203,539 visitors.
The daily average of tourist arrivals in December stands at 6,036, marking an increase from 5,455 in November. As of 25 December, 150,912 tourists have arrived this month, marking a 6 percent growth compared to the same period last year. In December 2022, the Maldives recorded the arrival of 142,245 visitors, while the figure was 129,741 in the same period in 2021.
In addition to India and Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and Germany round out the top five tourism markets this year. Chinese tourists account for 10.1 percent of the market share, with 185,761 visitors, followed by 152,284 UK tourists, accounting for 8.3 percent of the market share. German tourists account for 7.2 percent of the market share, with 132,188 arrivals. Other countries that make up the top ten markets include Italy, the United States, France, Spain, and Switzerland.