UK becomes second strongest tourist market

The United Kingdom has become the second strongest tourist market to the Maldives based on arrivals so far this year.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives has welcomed a total of 667,730 tourists as of last Saturday, which is a 5.8 percent increment compared to the same period last year.

From January 1^st to April 5^th last year, tourist arrivals to the Maldives had reached 630,867.

Top 10 Markets (by arrivals)

1. China: 76,674
2. UK: 70,561
3. Russia: 70,538
4. Italy: 59,978
5. Germany: 47,470
6. India: 33,544
7. France: 26,689
8. USA: 21,567
9. Switzerland: 14,355
10. Poland: 13,611

The highest single-day arrival in April was recorded on April 1^st with an arrival of 8,106 while the lowest so far was recorded on April 4^th, with an arrival of 6,466. Right now, the daily arrival average in annual terms is 7,029.

Currently a total of 1,193 operational tourist properties with a combined bed capacity of 63,817 offer services in the Maldives. These include 180 tourist resorts with a combined bed capacity of 44,259, and 842 guesthouses with a combined bed capacity of 14,412.

A total of 44 international airlines operates direct flights to the Maldives right now.

While tourist arrivals are increasing compared to previous years, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) has recently announced major partnerships to promote the Maldives tourism brand and increase tourist arrivals. Key partnerships include a destination promotion campaign with Liverpool Football Club and the signing up as the ‘Official Destination Partner’ of India’s most successful cricket club Mumbai Indians.