The Maldives experienced a surge in tourist arrivals in July, with an impressive 11 percent increase compared to the previous year, totaling 186,738 visitors, as reported by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). This surge contributed to a robust overall performance for the first seven months of the year, with arrivals reaching 1,294,868, a significant rise from the 1,183,057 recorded during the same period last year.
Simultaneously, the report indicates an expansion in the country’s tourism infrastructure, with an additional 3,114 beds available as of July compared to the previous year, reflecting the industry’s growth. However, despite the positive trends in tourist arrivals and increased accommodation capacity, the average length of stay has seen a decline. Tourists spent an average of 6.9 days in the Maldives during the first seven months of this year, a decrease from the 7.6 days recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. Notably, July itself recorded the highest average stay so far this year, at 7.5 days, suggesting a potential shift in travel patterns. This could be due to various factors, such as changes in travel preferences, economic conditions, or the types of tourists visiting the islands.
