The Maldives celebrated a record-breaking year in tourism, with 2024 marking a historic achievement. The destination reached a new milestone, welcoming its two millionth tourist of the year and officially hitting its target for the year. Surpassing the 1.87 million arrivals recorded in 2023, the Maldives reaffirms its status as one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations.
The Ministry of Tourism recorded an impressive 2,046,615 tourist arrivals for 2024. This marks a 9.1% increase compared to 2023, which saw 1,878,543 arrivals and a significant rise from the 1,675,303 arrivals recorded during 2022.
China emerged as the largest source market for Maldives tourism in 2024, with an impressive 40.7% rise compared to last year. China had been the leading source market for tourist arrivals to the Maldives before direct flights were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth has been bolstered by the resumption of direct flights from China over the last year.
China contributed to 12.9% of total arrivals, with 263,340 visitors. Russia ranks second, holding an 11.0% market share with 225,204 arrivals, while the United Kingdom comes in third with 181,644 arrivals, representing 8.9% of the market.
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives have grown across all markets this year, with Germany, Italy, India, the USA, France, Spain, and Switzerland rounding out the top 10 source markets.
February 2024 saw a record-breaking performance, with over 217,394 tourist arrivals. That month also marked a new milestone for the Maldives, with the highest number of arrivals in a single day—10,214 visitors on 10th February 2024.
A primary driver of the growth of arrivals has been the expansion of direct flight routes, significantly enhancing the Maldives’ accessibility. Airlines such as Azerbaijan Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, and Air India have launched new routes, offering greater convenience and attracting more travellers to the destination.
China’s resurgence as a leading source market has been pivotal to this year’s success. Airlines, including Xiamen Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, have strengthened connectivity with major Chinese cities, driving a substantial increase in arrivals. Emerging markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, alongside strong performance from Russia, have also contributed to the Maldives’ growing global appeal.
As of 2024, the Maldives has 170 operational resorts with a total of 42,147 beds. Additionally, 15 hotels and 870 guesthouses are registered, offering 1,999 and 14,659 beds, respectively. Safari vessels account for 151 vessels with a total of 2,934 beds, which exceeds the bed capacity of hotels but remains lower than that of guesthouses and resorts.
The average length of stay in 2024 remains consistent at 7.7 days, with daily arrivals averaging over 5,500 tourists. Resorts dominate the accommodation sector, accounting for 67% of the total operational bed capacity. This year, the overall capacity of tourist facilities increased from 61,562 beds in 2023 to 61,739 beds, reflecting the continued expansion of resorts and guesthouses across the archipelago.
In 2024, a total of 13,347,158 bed nights were recorded, reflecting a 3.44% increase compared to 12,903,434 bed nights in 2023. February 2024 marked the highest occupancy month, with an average of 79.9% across the destination, while June recorded the lowest occupancy at 39.9%. Overall, the Maldives achieved an average occupancy rate of 59.1% throughout the year.
Adding to its triumphs, the Maldives has once again secured the title of the World’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year. This historic achievement solidifies its status as a premier global tourism hub, surpassing 19 esteemed contenders, including Dubai, Greece, Indonesia, Spain, and Vietnam.
The Maldives also earned recognition as the World’s Leading Green Destination for the first time, underscoring the nation’s dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship alongside its tourism appeal.
The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has announced an ambitious target of $5 billion in tourism receipts for 2025, building on the remarkable momentum of 2024. Tourism receipts saw an impressive 15% growth in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). Meanwhile, the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) reported an 8% increase in tourism-related government tax revenues during the same period.
These remarkable accomplishments result from strategic initiatives led by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with stakeholders. Efforts to diversify source markets, strengthen airline partnerships, and enhance promotional campaigns have boosted accessibility and elevated the Maldives’ appeal on the global stage.
With the Maldives welcoming its two millionth tourist on 26th December 2024, the year has ended on a historic high note. Looking ahead, the nation has set an ambitious goal of achieving 2.4 million arrivals in 2025, surpassing the 2.2 million forecasted in the national budget. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal expressed optimism for the industry’s future, citing growth in key markets and the success of targeted promotional efforts as driving forces behind this projection.
The upward trajectory of arrivals underscores the Maldives’ ability to adapt to an evolving travel landscape. With its turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and world-class hospitality, the Maldives continues to set benchmarks as a premier global destination.
Feature Photo: Hurawalhi Maldives