Tourist arrivals to the Maldives have begun to stabilise and recover following a decline linked to instability in the Middle East, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim has said.

Speaking at a press briefing by a Special Cabinet Committee at the President’s Office, the Minister stated that daily arrivals have risen back above 5,000. He noted that more than 700,000 tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year, while 56,136 arrivals were recorded in the current month alone, with a daily average of 5,103 visitors.

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen said the situation in the Middle East initially led to a sharp increase in flight cancellations, with around 20 flights cancelled per day at the peak of the disruption.

He added that the number of daily cancellations has since declined to 14. In total, 626 flights have been cancelled over the past 45 days.

Despite the disruptions, Minister Ameen said several airlines have resumed operations. He noted that Qatar Airways and Emirates are currently operating two flights per day to the Maldives.

While flight volumes have not yet returned to previous levels, overall air travel has increased by 25 per cent as conditions improve, he said.

The Minister also noted that air cargo operations have continued without interruption during this period, ensuring the steady supply of essential goods to the Maldives.