The number of Chinese tourists who visited the Maldives in February increased to a record level, statistics have shown.

A total of 217,394 tourists arrived in the Maldives during February, according to statistics published by the Tourism Ministry. Tourist arrivals from China reached 34,646 by February 27.

This was a 10.7 percent increase compared to 2019 before the covid pandemic when 31,285 Chinese tourists visited in February 2019.

Chinese tourist arrival figures

• 2019 - 31,285
• 2020 - 1,647
• 2021 - 108
• 2022 - 299
• 2023 - 4,276
• 2024 - 34,646 (as of February 27)

China is also in first place in the top 10 source markets for tourists to the Maldives with 55,087 arrivals so far this year.

The record increase in Chinese tourists comes as several Chinese airlines launched flights to the Maldives, including Xiamen and Sichuan Airlines, one of the most successful airlines in China.

After his state visit to China in January, 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 sixth 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.