Statistics published by the ministry of tourism revealed that a total of 572,318 tourists have arrived to Maldives within the first half of this year. Last year, within this period, tourist arrivals totaled to 540,887; resulting in a 5.8% increase this year compared to last year.
In-depth statistics revealed that tourist arrivals from Russia totaled to 27,364 this year while it was 19,447 last year marking a 40.7% increase this year. Tourist arrivals from United Kingdom totaled to 45,656 this year while it was 35,403 last year marking a 26.2% increase this year. Additionally, tourist arrivals from France totaled to 23,944 this year while it was 23,464 last year marking just a 2% increase this year. Tourist arrivals from Germany on the hand decreased by 5.1% this year since it totaled to 46,807 this year while it was 49,303 last year.
It can be observed that the European market grew well this year compared to last year since the total tourist arrivals from Europe totaled to 290,968 this year, while it was 263,573 last year, resulting in a 10.4% increase.
Further statistics revealed that tourist arrivals from South-East Asia increased from 24,415 to 29,522 marking a 20.9 increase this year. The highest number of tourist arrivals from Asia was from India; last year 25,441 tourists arrived while it increased to 30,610 this year, an increase by 20.2%.
It can be concluded from the statistics that the tourism industry is progressing well.