How Did The Numbers Look When Maldivian Tourism Industry Wrapped Up 2020?
Tourism has been the mainstay of the Maldivian economy for years now. The industry has long thrived on the strength of its natural assets - our crystalline waters and the vibrant marine life in addition to the beautiful coral islands – and also the dedication and professionalism of the industry workers who have help raise the industry to its current heights.
Since its inception of the industry in 1972, last year was the most challenging one that we had to overcome due to the impacts of the global pandemic had caused. Consequent to reaching a record of counting over 1.7 million tourists in the year 2019, the Maldives began 2020 with big aspirations to increase tourist arrivals to two million by the end of the year.
(500k Tourist Arrival Welcome Ceremony)
By 27th March, the country had to close it borders as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. Up until then, Maldives had welcomed a total of 382,760 tourists. After almost four months, borders were reopened on 15th July. Unfortunately, at the beginning with tourist arrivals remained significantly low to a holiday destination of our repute; specifically, in the months of July, August September. Nevertheless, an influx in arrivals were seen in the month of October and afterwards, each subsequent month has seen arrivals grow.
The Ministry of Tourism rolled out the final statistics of the tourism industry of Maldives on 1st January. According to this, at the end of 2020, a crunching total of 555,399 tourists had arrived to the country; exceeding the realistic targets set during the recovery period. Out of these, 172, 366 tourists were welcomed post border reopening.
(100k Tourist Arrival Since Border Reopening Welcome Ceremony)
Overall figures indicate that Russia served as the largest tourist market to the archipelago from a single country, recording over 47k persons with Italy and India following closely. Other top markets include of USA, Germany, France, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Spain.
As of 31st December, a total 543 tourist accommodation facilities are in operation accounting to a total of 41,854 beds. This is with 142 resorts/marinas accumulating to 32,792 beds followed by 257 guesthouses with 5,028 beds, 133 safari vessels with 2,576 beds and 11 hotels with 1,458 beds. Moreover, 26 international airlines are in operation to the country.
(Maldives Border Miles)
Some of the other main highlights of year 2020 tourism-wise in the Maldives includes of the launch of the world’s first nationwide loyalty program, ‘Maldives Border Miles’ and the introduction of the first travel insurance policies covering expenses related to COVID-19 for tourists, ‘Allied Inbound’ & ‘Allied Inbound Plus’. Maldives was also named as the ‘World’s Leading Destination’ at the World Travel Awards 2020.
Tourism industry experts aims to welcome a total of 1.2 million tourists to the Maldives by the end of this year.
(Cover Photo: Visit Maldives)