The number of tourists arriving in the Maldives as cruise passengers has more than doubled so far this year compared with the same period last year.

According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, 15,500 cruise passengers have visited the Maldives so far this year, compared with 8,000 during the same period last year, an increase of about 87 percent.

The highest number of cruise tourists arrived in February, with more than 5,000 visitors recorded during the month. This compares with around 600 cruise passengers in February last year.

The second-highest number of arrivals was recorded in March, when more than 4,000 cruise tourists visited the country.

Despite the rise in cruise tourism, overall tourist arrivals remain lower than last year. The Maldives has welcomed 1.2 million tourists so far this year, compared with 1.3 million during the same period last year, representing a 4.5 percent decline.

Tourist arrivals were lower than last year in all months except January, February and May, with the decline attributed partly to disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.