According to data released by Maldives Immigration, China has become the leading source of tourists in July, overtaking Russia. In July, the Maldives welcomed a total of 145,620 tourists, which is a significant 9% increase compared to the same time last year.
Taking a closer look at the numbers, Chinese tourists made up a substantial part of this, with 28,134 arrivals. Russia came in second place with 17,683 arrivals, followed by India with 11,963 visitors.
Chinese tourism had faced challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it started picking up momentum again in January. Currently, three major Chinese airlines are operating flights to the Maldives, making it easier for visitors to come. Before the pandemic, China was already the biggest single source of tourists for the Maldives.
Some noteworthy details from July include a day with the highest number of arrivals at 5,644, an average of 4,854 tourists arriving daily, and the lowest recorded day having 3,879 arrivals. Additionally, recent data from the tourism ministry shows that a total of 1.17 million tourists have visited the Maldives this year.
As of 2023, the top three countries contributing to the Maldives’ tourism are China, Russia, and India, respectively. This shift in tourism patterns highlights China’s lasting influence on the Maldives’ tourism industry, shaping how people travel to these beautiful islands.
