Maldives Records More Than 400,000 Tourist Arrivals in Less Than 5 Months of 2021

Thursday 6th of May 2021

Statistics state that more than 400,000 tourists have arrived in the Maldives as of May 4, 2021. The numbers are promising even though travel restrictions are still being implemented across many international borders in efforts to curb the spread of Covid19.

When Maldives reopened its borders to international travelers, it was one of the first countries in the world to brave the move and limit entry restrictions to a bare minimum. Stringent measures deployed at all touch-points across the destination by all stakeholders of the industry has remained a key player in maintaining the health and safety of tourists and hospitality service providers.

A nation-wide vaccination drive rolled out in February has expanded into a hospitality industry vaccination campaign by the name ‘I am Vaccinated’ to ensure that all staff of the tourism industry of the Maldives complete two doses of Covid vaccine. So far, 99% of them have received their first jab and 25% of them have completed vaccination. Maldives aims to become the first country in the world to serve the hospitality industry with a fully vaccinated work force.

According to the stats, Russia has climbed on to the first position in the chart of top source markets to the world, a tough battle that has been dominated by India previously. In light of the unfortunate Covid situation of India, arrivals from the market have reduced significantly as their stay have been limited to only tourist resorts and vessels.

With an average of 3200 tourist arrivals per day, guests have been holidaying in majorly in resorts, following marinas, hotels, vessels and guesthouses since the beginning of the year. A total of 47,355 tourist beds are in operation. However, recent restrictions state that tourists are currently not allowed on inhibited islands. The entry requirements remain strictly to presenting a negative PCR test taken 96 hours prior to embarking on their journey to the Maldives. The ease of travel to the Maldives has seen a healthy increase in the average duration of guest stay, now recorded at 9 days for their stay.

Maldives is well connected with the main travel hubs in the world via 23 scheduled and 7 chartered flights operating regularly to the country.

Authorities are hopeful to achieve their ambitious target of welcoming 1.5 million tourists by the end of 2021.  

Photos: Sheraton Maldives