Tourism Ministry statistics have shown that more than half a million tourists have visited Maldives so far this year.

According to the figures, 500,233 tourists had arrived in Maldives by March 12. This is an increase of 4.6 percent compared to last year.

The majority of tourists came from China. The country accounts for 12 percent of the tourist market, followed by the UK and Russia with 10 percent.

The number of tourists from neighboring India remains low and the country is ranked sixth among source markets.

About 69 percent of 345,495 of the tourists stayed in resorts while 25 percent stayed in guesthouses.

However, the tourist arrivals were low in February. Around 217,392 tourists visited in February 2024 while the number is at 214,091 this year.

A record two million visitors arrived in the Maldives in 2024. The government has set a target of attracting 2.3 million tourists this year.