China market sees 16.69% growth, dominates as top source for tourist arrivals

China continues to dominate as the top source market for tourist arrivals to the Maldives, with the latest statistics showing a 16.69 percent growth in the market in June.

China had overtaken India as the top source market for visitors to the island destination in 2023, and has more or less maintained the position since then.

Russia had briefly overtaken China at the start of this year, before the populous Asian country reclaimed its spot at the top of the list.

The latest statistics released by the Tourism Ministry shows the country welcomed 167,938 Chinese tourists as of Monday – up from 143,917 tourists as of the end of May.

The additional 24,021 visitors mark a 16.69 percent growth in arrivals from China over the last month.

TOP SOURCE MARKETS:

• China: 167,938 arrivals
• Russia: 149,406 arrivals
• UK: 86,332 arrivals
• Italy: 73,812 arrivals
• Germany: 66,846 arrivals
• India: 62,664 arrivals
• France: 29,573 arrivals
• USA: 26,788 arrivals
• Australia: 23,801 arrivals
• Switzerland: 21,205 arrivals

The Maldives has welcomed 1,063,074 tourists so far this year. The figure marks a five percent declined compared to last year, as the country continues to see a dip in arrivals due to global headwinds and flight disruptions due to the conflict in the Middle East.