Maldives Welcomes 1.5 Million Tourists in 2024, Aiming for 2 Million by Year-End

The Maldives has achieved a significant milestone in its tourism sector this year, with 1.5 million tourists visiting the country by early October. According to the Ministry of Tourism, 1,522,621 tourists have arrived in the Maldives as of October 6, 2024. This represents a 9.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023, during which 1,390,307 tourists visited the island nation.

Between October 1 and 6 alone, 30,601 tourists arrived in the Maldives, averaging 5,100 visitors per day during this period. The Ministry of Tourism noted that this growth signals a steady upward trend in arrivals, with the Maldives on track to meet its annual target of 2 million tourists by the end of the year.

China continues to lead the international markets with the highest number of visitors, as 227,978 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year. Russia follows closely with 166,172 tourists, while the UK ranks third with 128,262 visitors. India, which led the market in 2023, has seen a decrease in arrivals, ranking fifth with 92,270 tourists in 2024.

The Maldives government has been actively promoting tourism to meet its ambitious goal of 2 million visitors in 2024. Efforts have included enhanced marketing campaigns and new collaborations with airlines and travel agencies, particularly targeting key markets like China, Russia, and Europe.