As of 20th October 2024, the Maldives has recorded 1,598,345 tourist arrivals, based on data from the Ministry of Tourism. The country has set a goal to welcome 2 million tourists by the end of the year, leaving approximately 401,655 tourists still needed to reach this target.
Current Tourist Arrival Trends
Tourist arrivals in 2024 have shown consistent growth compared to previous years. Key highlights include:
- January: 192,385 arrivals, a growth of 11.5% compared to January 2023.
- February: 217,392 arrivals, a significant increase of 22.2%.
- March: 194,227 arrivals, up by 11.9%.
- July and August: 167,528 and 176,175 arrivals, reflecting growth rates of 15% and 13.8%, respectively.
By 20th October, the Maldives had already surpassed 1.5 million arrivals, showing a 9.6% growth year-on-year. However, the country needs an additional 401,655 tourists by the end of December to achieve the 2 million target.
How Many Tourists Are Needed Per Day?
With 72 days remaining in the year (from 21st October to 31st December), the Maldives would need an average of 5,579 tourists per day to reach the goal of 2 million arrivals.
Feasibility Based on Current Trends
Examining the daily and monthly averages for tourist arrivals provides some insight into whether this target is feasible:
- So far in October 2024, the Maldives has seen a daily average of 5,316 tourists, which is just below the required daily average of 5,579 needed to reach the 2 million goal.
- In November 2023, the Maldives recorded 159,141 tourist arrivals, which averages to around 5,305 tourists per day.
- In December 2023, there were 194,696 tourist arrivals, averaging 6,277 tourists per day, exceeding the required daily rate.
Analysis: Can the Maldives Reach 2 Million Tourists?
Based on the trends observed, the Maldives is currently averaging close to the necessary 5,579 daily arrivals. Historical data from previous years shows that the tourism season in the Maldives typically peaks in November and December, making it likely that the country could exceed the needed daily average during these months.
If the Maldives maintains its current performance of over 5,000 tourists per day, particularly as November and December are peak months, it is quite likely the country will hit its 2 million tourist goal. Achieving higher daily averages during these months, as seen in past years, would make this target even more achievable.
To meet the 2 million tourist arrival target, the Maldives needs to sustain an average of 5,579 tourists per day for the remaining 72 days of the year. Given the current trends and the historical peak in arrivals during November and December, this goal appears within reach. Maintaining or slightly improving daily arrival numbers during the peak season will allow the Maldives to achieve, and potentially exceed, the 2 million tourist milestone.
