Russia and India lead as top tourist markets for Maldives

Russian tourist Marina Kazakova (C) - the 1.5 millionth tourist to arrive in Maldives in 2019 - is welcomed upon arrival at the Velana International Airport on November 24, 2019 | Photo: Fayaz Moosa

Malé, Maldives – The Ministry of Tourism of Maldives has revealed that Russia and India are currently leading the top 10 tourist markets for Maldives.

While Maldives welcomed 99,397 tourists until February 3, 2021, the latest statistics revealed that Russia and India are still leading the Top 10 Tourist Markets 2021 list.

According to the Tourism Ministry, by February 3rd 2021, Maldives has welcomed 22,365 tourists from Russia, accounting for up to 22.5 percent in the total tourist arrivals recorded so far this year.

Neighboring India, which attributed to the largest portion of visitors to Maldives last year, secured second place on the list with a total of 20,933 tourist arrivals. India accounts for up to 21 percent of tourist arrivals in the country.

Ukraine and Kazakhstan comes third and fourth on the list respectively with Maldives welcoming 7,709 Ukraine citizens into the country and 4,895 Kazakhstan citizens during the first five weeks of 2021.

The remaining countries in the Top 10 Tourist Markets for Maldives list so far are France, Romania, Germany, United Kingdom, Czech Republic and the United States respectively, with 4,470 tourists from France and with over 3,500 tourists from Romania and Germany.

The Tourism Ministry has targeted to welcome at least 1.5 million tourists this year, and so far the country has managed to welcome only 99,397 tourists.

The Tourism Ministry has targeted to welcome at least 1.5 million tourists this year, and so far the country has managed to welcome only 99,397 tourists.

Tourism Minister of Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom stated that although Maldives foresees to face more challenges in the future, the Tourism Ministry sees a lot of improvement and success in 2021 compared to the year before.