The Maldives tourism sector continues its impressive growth trajectory, with August tourist arrivals marking a significant nine percent increase compared to the same month last year.
A total of 192,058 visitors flocked to the island nation in August, averaging 6,195 arrivals daily. This influx represents an uptick from the previous three months, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
The robust performance in August contributes to a year-to-date total of 1,486,926 tourist arrivals in the first eight months of the year, reflecting a healthy 9.4 percent increase over the same period last year.
China remains the leading source market for Maldivian tourism, with 235,245 arrivals recorded during the first eight months of the year. Other key markets include Russia with 177,581 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom (134,114), Italy (106,230), and Germany (102,496).
The majority of tourists continue to favour resorts, with 73.4 percent of visitors choosing this accommodation type in the first eight months, accounting for over one million tourists. Guesthouses remain a popular choice, hosting 21.9 percent of tourists, while hotels catered to 2.6 percent of visitors. The Maldives currently boasts 1,250 tourist attractions in operation, supported by a total of 64,394 available beds.
Buoyed by the strong arrival figures, the government is confident in achieving its ambitious target of attracting 2.3 million tourists this year. This target, set by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, reflects the country's continued appeal as a premier destination despite global economic uncertainties. Officials anticipate meeting this goal before the end of the year, further solidifying the Maldives' position on the global tourism map.