Tourism in the Maldives is on the rise as recent statistics from the Ministry of Tourism reveal a significant increase in tourist arrivals for the month of March. Compared to the same period last year, arrivals have surged by 11.9%, marking a promising trend for the industry.
In raw numbers, March 2024 welcomed 194,227 tourists, up from 173,514 arrivals recorded in March of the previous year. This boost in arrivals indicates growing interest in the region as a tourist destination.
However, the statistics also shed light on shifting market dynamics. While overall European arrivals saw a commendable increase of 26.7%, the Middle Eastern market experienced a substantial decline of 71.7%. This contrast underscores the evolving preferences and influences shaping the tourism landscape.
Top Markets and Country of Residence
China emerges as the dominant market, capturing 29.5% of tourist arrivals in March. Following closely behind is the Russian market, commanding 28.9% of arrivals. The United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and India also feature prominently in the ranking of top countries of residence for tourists visiting the region, in that order.
Bed Nights Utilisation and Occupancy Rates
The data further reveals a significant uptick in bed nights utilisation across various types of tourist establishments. By the end of March 2024, a total of 4,225,536 bed nights were utilized, marking a notable increase from the 3,866,136 bed nights recorded during the same period last year.
Breakdown by establishment type indicates 3,247,072 bed nights were spent in resorts, 61,888 in hotels, 818,515 in guesthouses, and 98,061 in tourist vessels. Overall, a commendable occupancy rate of 75.3% was observed across all tourist establishments by the end of last month.
