Maldives Records Over One Million Tourist Arrivals in First Half of 2024

The Maldives welcomed 123,552 tourists in June, bringing the total number of arrivals for the first six months of the year to 1,067,543, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. While the June figures show a slight increase of 0.2% compared to June 2023, the ministry noted that overall arrivals for the month were 12% lower than during the same period the previous year. This trend reflects a broader shift in visitor patterns throughout the first half of 2024. The year began with strong momentum, seeing significant growth in arrivals during January and February, which recorded 227,403 and 254,556 visitors respectively. However, the numbers began to decline steadily from March through June. The government has attributed this downward trend to the ongoing instability and conflict in the Middle East, which has impacted travel patterns from key regions. The monthly breakdown for the first half of the year illustrates the decline: March saw 161,259 arrivals, followed by 152,861 in April, 142,555 in May, and finally 123,552 in June. In terms of market demographics, China remains the Maldives' top source market, followed closely by Russia. The data also highlights the continued dominance of the luxury sector, with 72% of tourists choosing to stay in resorts, while 23% opted for guesthouses, reflecting the diverse accommodation landscape available across the atolls.