Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism have revealed airlines from India are currently bringing in the most tourists to the Maldives.
The statistics revealed India's IndiGo brought in the second highest number of tourists to the country this year. The airline made 620 flights to the Maldives this year up until March, bringing in 38,918 tourists. Meanwhile, Mumbai-based GoAir Airline brought in the third highest number of tourists, making 596 flights to the Maldives this year and bringing in 35,751 tourists.
The statistics revealed most tourists who have visited the Maldives so far this year are Indian nationals, with 23.2% of the total tourist arrivals. The government has been working to advertise and promote the Maldives as a tourism destination in India, with the aim of bringing in 300,000 tourists from India by the end of the year.
Since the borders were reopened, after a brief closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists from India to the Maldives has seen a significant increase. The rise in the number of tourists from India is attributed to the bilateral visa facilitation agreement signed between the two countries, as well as the establishment of the India-Maldives air travel bubble.