Tourist arrivals increase but may not reach target

Statistics indicate that to meet this year’s tourist arrival target, the Maldives will need to welcome 600,000 visitors over the next two months.

As per the latest statistics from the Tourism Ministry, 1.7 million tourists have come to Maldives as of now. While announcing his Presidential Address, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that one of the most important aims of his is to bring in 2.3 million tourists by the end of the year.

The ministry's statistics show that this target will not be reached unless the next two months sees around 300,000 tourists each month. However, not a single month this year has seen that number. The maximum number of tourists in one month was seen in February 2024 with 217,000 tourists.

This year, the maximum number of tourists in one month was in January, with 214,000 tourists.

There has been a 10 percent increase of tourists this year compared to last year. Even though tourists coming in the next two months would see an increase when looking at that percentage, it is estimated that only around 190,000 tourists will visit Maldives in November, with 225,000 tourists visiting in December.

With these numbers, the tourists Maldives would see in the next two months is around 400,000.

If current tourist trends continue, the Maldives is projected to receive a maximum of 2.1 million visitors by the end of the year, falling 200,000 short of the official target. This figure is also 100,000 below the target outlined in the national budget.

MVR 154 million was allocated in the budget for tourism promotion this year. Visit Maldives stated at the beginning of the year that they are working to double that amount. However, the budget has not increased.