Maldives records sharp rise in cruise tourist arrivals

The number of tourists visiting the Maldives via cruise liners is increasing significantly, statistics have shown.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Maldives has welcomed a total of 1.2 million tourists so far this year. Of these, 15,577 tourists were cruise passengers. This is up 89 percent from 8,263 during the same period last year.

The peak month for cruise arrivals so far this year was February, recording 5,237 tourist arrivals. March is second highest with 4,049 arrivals, followed by 3,457 in April.

France was the largest source market for cruise passengers. While a total of 31,508 French visitors have visited the Maldives this year, 5.4 percent of them arrived by cruise ship.