China has overtaken Russia to become the number one market for tourists to the Maldives, tourist arrival statistics have shown.
According to the latest arrivals report published by the Tourism Ministry, 214,470 tourists have visited so far this year, including 23,972 tourists from China as the top market. This was the first time that China became the top market for the Maldives since the country's borders reopened after covid-19.
Top markets
- China - 23,972
- Russia - 21,898
- Italy - 21,321
- UK - 18,078
- India - 16,536
- Germany - 12,842
- France - 7,624
- America - 7,452
- Poland - 6,063
- Switzerland - 4,211
After his state visit to China last month, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu appealed for China to become the top source market for tourists to the Maldives.
"China was our number one market pre-covid, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position," President Muizzu said.
Before the pandemic, China was the top tourist market in 2017 and 2018. More than 280,000 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives in 2019.
When the Maldives reopened its borders amid the covid-19 pandemic, neighboring India became the top source market for tourists. But India is now fifth on the list of top markets.
China reopened the country's borders in January last year after a three-year closure. A total of 187,118 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives last year.
The President's appeal for China to become the number one market came amid a campaign in India calling for boycotting the Maldives in favor of Lakshadweep.
A total of 1,142 tourism properties are currently in operation in the Maldives, including 175 resorts, 812 guesthouses, 140 safari vessels and 15 hotels, representing a combined bed capacity of 61,518 to serve tourists.
