Tourist arrivals in the Maldives continue to surge in August 2024, marking a notable increase compared to the same period last year. According to the Ministry of Tourism’s latest statistics, a total of 152,338 tourists visited the Maldives between August 1st and August 25th, representing a 14.6% growth compared to the 132,979 arrivals during the same period in August 2023.
This growth is a continuation of the positive trend seen throughout 2024, with the year-to-date total number of arrivals reaching 1,335,395, which is a 10.5% increase from the 1,208,206 arrivals recorded by the same time in 2023.
The Ministry’s data also highlights that the average duration of stay for tourists in August 2024 was 7.8 days, consistent with the averages observed in previous months this year.
The Maldives’ tourism sector has seen a steady recovery and growth, with particular strength in key markets such as China, Russia, and the United Kingdom. China’s market share in tourist arrivals reached 14.5%, followed by Russia at 10.8%, and the UK at 8.7%, indicating a strong contribution from these nations to the overall figures.
In terms of tourist accommodation, the operational bed capacity across resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and safari vessels reached 62,740 beds as of August 25th. Resorts continue to dominate the market, accounting for 68% of the total bed capacity, followed by guesthouses, safari vessels, and hotels.
The consistent growth in tourist arrivals, particularly in August, reflects the ongoing appeal of the Maldives as a premier destination and the effectiveness of the country’s tourism strategies in attracting visitors even during the traditionally slower months. As the year progresses, the Maldives continues to build on its reputation as a top choice for international travellers, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy.
