Chinese and Italian tourists account for the largest share of visitors staying at guest houses in the Maldives, according to tourism statistics.

Data from the Ministry of Tourism shows that 29 percent of tourists staying at guest houses are from China, while 28 percent are from Italy.

China is also the Maldives' largest source market overall, with more than 200,000 arrivals so far this year. Italy is the fourth-largest source market, with about 79,000 visitors during the same period.

India and France rank next among guest house visitors, each accounting for 19 percent of the market.

Russia is the fourth-largest guest house source market, with 16 percent of Russian tourists choosing to stay at guest houses. The United States ranks fifth.

Tourists from Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom and Switzerland also make up a notable share of guest house visitors.

The Maldives has welcomed 1.2 million tourists so far this year, a 4.5 percent decline compared with the same period last year, when the country recorded 1.3 million arrivals.