Maldives has recorded a significant increase in international flight arrivals in the first 10 months of the year, a central bank report has shown.
According to a report by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the increase in flight operations has led to a boost in tourist arrivals during this period.
MMA's November monthly report shows that a total 13,671 international flights were operated to Maldives as of October this year. There were 13,018 flights during the same period last year which amounts to an increase of 653 flights this year.
The number of scheduled flights to Maldives also increased during this period. There were 12,565 scheduled flights in the first 10 months of this year, in contrast to the 11,975 scheduled flights during the same period last year.
In addition to scheduled flights, Maldives also welcomes a significant number of charter and private jets to its shores.
As such, the number of charter and private jets arriving in Maldives during this period is also higher. The figures show that 1106 flights arrived as general flights this year, in comparison to the 1,043 flights welcomed during the same period last year.
The increase in the number of flight arrivals has resulted in a significant boost in tourist arrivals so far this year, in contrast to the same period last year. As of 17 December, 1.9 million tourists have arrived in Maldives, as opposed to the 1.8 million tourist arrivals during the same period last year.
This year, the government has set an aim to attract two million tourists to the island nation. Maldives needs to welcome just 58,805 more tourists to achieve this target.