The number of tourist arrivals has dropped sharply after flight cancellations due to the ongoing war in the Middle East region.

According to statistics released by the tourism ministry, 4,107 tourists arrived in the Maldives on Monday (March 2).

This is the lowest number of tourist arrivals in a single day so far this year, compared to 5,929 tourists on January 1.

Year-on-year, the number of tourists in the first two days of this month was 37 percent lower than last year.

Today marks the sixth day since airlines based in the UAE and Qatar, which provide connectivity to the Maldives from around the world, have suspended operations.