The Ministry of Tourism has revealed that the Maldives welcomed more than 172,000 tourists in November this year, marking a 5.7% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This positive trend reflects the government's ongoing efforts to boost the tourism sector, which has shown significant growth throughout the year.
Statistics indicate that by the end of November, the total number of visitors to the Maldives had reached 1,837,633, with 172,985 tourists arriving in November alone, compared to 163,658 in November of the previous year. With December's tourist arrivals expected to reach 162,367, the government is on track to meet its target of attracting 2 million tourists in 2024.
The growth in tourism is evident, with more tourists arriving each month. The Maldives experienced a steady influx of visitors throughout the year. In January, 192,385 tourists visited the country, followed by 217,398 in February. March saw 194,227 tourists, while April had 168,366 arrivals. Although numbers dipped slightly in May, with 119,875 visitors, they rebounded in June to 123,284. July and August saw higher numbers, with 167,528 and 176,175 tourists respectively. September recorded 132,795 visitors, and October saw a strong return with 172,621. November concluded with 172,985 tourists, demonstrating consistent growth and ongoing interest in the Maldives as a premier travel destination.
The Ministry of Tourism reported that the Maldives experienced a 9.1% increase in tourist arrivals during the first 11 months of the year compared to the same period in 2023. On average, the Maldives welcomed approximately 5,485 tourists per day this year, highlighting the sector's recovery and continued appeal.
Looking ahead, the government has set an ambitious target for 2025, forecasting that 2.2 million tourists will visit the Maldives. This optimism is fuelled by the steady growth in tourism numbers and ongoing efforts to enhance the country’s tourism infrastructure and offerings.