Ministry of Tourism has revealed the Maldives has reached its target of 11 million bed nights this year. The Maldives has a total of 56,900 beds at tourist facilities and 22,900 beds are in operation.
Speaking to PSM News, Deputy Minister of Tourism Assad Riza said 90% of beds are in operation and currently filled, and that it is a great accomplishment compared to 2019. He said tourists stayed in the Maldives for an average of five to six nights in 2019 and that tourists now stay for eight to nine nights.
Statistics from the tourism ministry show 913 tourist facilities are currently in operation, which are 161 resorts, 599 guesthouses, 143 safaris, and 10 hotels. The Maldives has also achieved its target of 1.3 million tourist arrivals this year.
A ceremony was held at Velana International Airport to welcome the 1.3 millionth visitor and his family on December 27. Constantin Stelian Emil, from Romania, was welcomed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Thoyyib Mohamed, officials from the tourism ministry, Maldives Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
The initial target of one million tourist arrivals in 2021 was reached on October 29, which was two months in advance. The tourism ministry has also revealed 7,098 tourist arrivals were recorded on December 26, which is a new record of tourist arrivals recorded on a single day since the reopening of the borders.
The Maldivian tourism industry has seen steady and significant progress since reopening the borders in July 2020. The government and stakeholders of the tourism industry aim to register two million tourist arrivals during 2022.