Maldives to out perform tourism target

As of 29 November, the Maldives recorded a total of 1,153,013 tourist arrivals, achieving 75 percent of arrivals over pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The daily average arrivals in 2021 is 3,463, compared to 4,585 in 2019. The country is set to achieve 1.3 million tourist arrivals for the year, compared to an objective of 1 million arrivals. 

Post-COVID, India and Russia dominated as source markets, with 22 percent and 18 percent respectively. Germany ranks third, with 81,848 arrivals during the year as of 29 November, or 7.2 percent of total arrivals. Pre-COVID India had been the number two market, while Russia was sixth. 

There are a total of 160 resorts currently in operation, as well as 596 guest houses, 144 safari vessels, and 10 hotels, with a total operational bed capacity of 51,922. 

The government collected over USD23 million in airport service charges, USD41 million in green tax, and USD262.7 million as goods and service tax from the tourism sector (T-GST) between January and October 2021. An additional USD23.7 million was collected as airport development fee over the same period this year. With over USD100 million collected as tourism land rent, the total revenue collected in US dollars exceeded USD468 million between January and October this year. 

Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, in an earlier interview with MFR, said that he is pleased with the joint marketing effort by the industry and the government’s marketing company, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) — the MMPRC is using multiple platforms to market the Maldives brand, such as roadshows, webinars, and joint campaigns with other travel partners, with a limited budget of USD10 million. According to the Minister, the Maldives has a very good product and has something for everyone from "lifestyle, honeymooners, divers, ultra-luxurious and mid-range" tourists. As such, the Maldives is well positioned to be the global market leader.