The picturesque Maldives continues to be a magnet for travelers, and the latest statistics reveal a significant milestone in tourism. From 2019 to September 28, 2023, the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives surged to an impressive one million. According to data from the Indian High Commission, 900,682 Indian tourists graced the shores of the Maldives from 2019 until the 28th of last month. These figures underscore the Maldives' enduring appeal to Indian travelers.
The numbers reveal a dynamic trend in Indian tourism to the Maldives:
2019: 166,030 Indian tourists explored the Maldives.
2020: A total of 62,960 Indian visitors ventured to the islands.
2021: An astonishing surge occurred with 291,787 Indian tourists visiting the Maldives.
2022: High numbers persisted, with 241,382 Indian tourists.
2023: Even in the current year, despite external challenges, 147,523 Indian tourists have visited.
The Indian High Commission predicts that the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives is poised to reach one million within five years, indicating a sustained trend of interest in the island nation.
The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Managing Director, Thoyyib Mohammed, told vaguthu.mv that efforts to boost tourism from India, China, Europe, and other regions are underway. India, in particular, is playing a pivotal role in the Maldives' quest to welcome 1.8 million tourists this year.
"We are continually engaged in various activities targeted at the Indian market, including peer representation, roadshows, and fairs,"
Thoyyib stated. These efforts reflect the country's commitment to enhancing the Indian tourism experience.
The Maldives has remained a sought-after destination, with over 1.36 million tourists having visited the country in 2023. September alone saw 130,967 tourists arriving, underscoring the resilience of the tourism sector.
According to immigration statistics, the largest number of tourists in the Maldives in recent months arrived from China, India, and Russia. Notably, 25,065 visitors hailed from China, followed by 14,092 from India, and 12,375 from Russia.
In 2022, the Maldives welcomed 1.6 million tourists, and this year, the government aspires to host 1.8 million, a goal in which India is poised to play a vital role. The projected numbers suggest that the Maldives could surpass the two-million-tourist mark by the end of this year, reaffirming its status as a premier global travel destination.
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