Ministry of Tourism has revealed that more than 40,000 tourists arrived from China within four months of resuming travel between the two countries.
The Chinese market has moved up to sixth out of the top 10 markets as of May 17, according to the latest statistics published by the tourism ministry. As such, 40,002 tourists arrived from China during the period. The number of tourists arriving from China to the Maldives this year will be a 10% increase from the forecast number of arrivals. according to Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom. The tourism ministry aims to record 1.9 million tourist visits this year.
The statistics showed that the Chinese market is likely to move up to first of the top 10 markets in the Maldives before the end of the year. The highest number of tourists so far this year came from Russia with a total of 757,992 tourists arriving in the Maldives so far this year, which is a 27.1% increase compared to 2022.
China was the top source market for tourist arrivals in the Maldives before the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of, 284,029 tourists arrived in the Maldives from China in 2019. However, tourists from China have not visited the Maldives in the past three years due to the country's travel measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chinese tourists began visiting the Maldives again this year after the country re-opened its borders.