The Maldives is set to welcome its 2 millionth tourist of 2024 next Thursday.

Speaking to local media, Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal revealed that as of Sunday 1,978,252 tourists had visited the Maldives, with the 2 millionth arrival expected later this week.

The Minister highlighted that achieving this target reflects the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, the tourism industry, and the guidance of the Government.

Statistics show that 131,436 tourists visited the Maldives in the first 21 days of December, marking a 7.2 per cent increase compared to the 122,653 tourists recorded during the same period in 2023.

So far this year, the total number of tourist arrivals has reached 1.96 million, compared to 1.81 million last year, representing a 9 per cent growth in arrivals.

In terms of market share, China currently leads as the top source market for tourists, followed by Russia and the United Kingdom. This marks a shift from the previous year when India held the top spot, followed by Russia and China.

The Government has set an ambitious target of attracting 2 million tourists in 2024, and the approaching milestone underscores the Maldives' enduring appeal as a premier global travel destination.