More than 100,000 tourists have visited the Maldives so far this month, representing a 6.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Tourism and Environment Ministry statistics.

The ministry reports that 102,927 tourists visited during the first 16 days of the month, up from 96,239 tourists during the same period last year.

Total visitor numbers for the year have reached 531,881, a 5.1 per cent increase from the 506,016 tourists who visited during the same period last year.

China continues to be the leading source market, contributing 65,896 visitors so far this year. Other top markets include Russia (54,334), the United Kingdom (54,165), Italy (50,477) and Germany (36,523).

Most tourists stayed at resorts (366,995), followed by guesthouses (136,131), hotels (15,261) and safari vessels (13,184).

The Government aims to attract 2.3 million tourists by year-end, following last year's milestone of 2 million visitors. Officials are implementing extensive promotional campaigns to achieve this target.