News Desk
In January, the country’s tourism sector witnessed robust growth, hosting over 190,000 tourists, marking an 11.6% increase from the previous year. Russia played a significant role, contributing 20,113 tourists, maintaining its status as a leading tourism market. This aligns with patterns observed over the past years, with Russia leading, followed by India, China, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
China’s prominence in January’s statistics is evident, with 19,745 visitors securing its position as the second largest source of tourists. The Maldivian government, aiming to double Chinese tourist numbers following the President’s request during his state visit, has specifically targeted China.
In tandem with this growth, the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives is actively engaged in ensuring the safety of Chinese tourists. The ongoing Fifth Meeting of the Joint Meeting Mechanism, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dedicated to addressing the safety of Chinese tourists, reflects a proactive approach by the Chinese Embassy. Despite no reported issues faced by Chinese tourists currently, these meetings underscore their commitment to the well-being of Chinese travelers in the Maldives.
The government’s optimistic projection of hosting 2.3 million tourists by year-end underscores confidence in the ongoing tourism sector expansion. To achieve this target, maintaining momentum from key markets, including Russia, China, and India, is essential. The government is implementing initiatives to enhance tourism infrastructure, promote the Maldives tourism brand, and ensure an overall positive visitor experience.
Notably, recent Tourism Ministry statistics suggest that India, traditionally the second largest tourist supplying market, may be taking a backseat. The evolving dynamics in tourist contributions emphasize the need for strategic planning to sustain and amplify the success of the Maldivian tourism industry.
