Maldives Records Highest Tourist Arrivals of the Year on Sunday

The Maldives recorded its highest number of tourist arrivals this year on Sunday, with a total of 9,903 visitors, the Tourism Ministry reported.

The second-highest number of arrivals was recorded on the previous Sunday, with 9,613 tourists, while the third-highest was on Saturday, with 9,584 arrivals.

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Statistics from the Ministry show that a total of 201,637 tourists have visited the Maldives so far in December, bringing the total number of arrivals for the year to 2,223,698. The highest monthly arrivals this year were recorded in January, during the peak season, with 214,863 tourists.

China remained the largest tourist market, contributing 328,876 arrivals, or 14.8 per cent of the total. Russia was the second-largest market, with 274,246 arrivals, accounting for 12.3 per cent, followed by the United Kingdom with 200,484 arrivals, representing nine per cent of the total.

Most tourists, 1,632,340 visitors or 73.4 per cent of the total, stayed in resorts.

Velana International Airport also experienced one of its busiest days on Sunday, handling 27,000 passengers. The high arrivals come amid the tourism peak season and school holidays, which have contributed to the current travel boom.