The number of tourist arrivals last month declined by 1% compared to the previous year. The decrease aligns with the typical seasonal trend, with arrival rates expected to rise again in July.
Data released by the Ministry of Tourism shows that the country welcomed 119,000 tourists in May, a drop from the 120,000 arrivals recorded in May of the previous year. Additionally, May’s arrivals represented a nearly 30% decline from April, which saw 168,000 tourists.
The first of May recorded 3,700 tourist arrivals in the Maldives, reflecting a 4% decrease compared to last year. Historical data indicates that the country generally experiences lower tourist numbers in May and June, a pattern observed over the past two years.
The highest number of tourist arrivals this year was recorded in February, with 217,000 visitors. The first four months of 2024 saw an average of over 150,000 monthly arrivals.
So far, the Maldives has recorded 895,000 tourist visits in 2024. Given the current trends, the country is on track to reach 1 million arrivals by the end of June. The government aims to attract over 2 million tourists by the end of the year, with the Ministry of Tourism setting a higher target of 2.3 million annual visitors.
