The Ministry of Tourism has revealed that more than 10,000 tourists have visited the Maldives from China so far this year. The latest statistics show that China is the fourth largest source market for tourist arrivals so far this year.
A total of 128,548 tourists have visited the Maldives as of January 21, which is an 11.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The largest number of tourists arrived from Russia. At the end of last year, Russia was the second largest source market for tourist arrivals.
This year's statistics show that 14,495 tourists have visited from Russia, 13,965 tourists visited from Italy, 10,689 tourists visited from the UK, 10,113 tourists visited from China and 9,744 tourists visited from India.
The number of tourists from China has increased significantly, with 4,288 tourists visiting the Maldives as of January 13, meaning that more than 5,000 tourists visited from China within the last week.
The government aims to double the number of tourists arrivals from China. In addition, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has urged Chinese authorities to collaborate in establishing China as the number one tourism market for the Maldives. He also disclosed the signing of an agreement with the Chinese government aimed at increasing tourist arrivals to the Maldives.