The total number of tourist beds in the Maldives has surpassed 65,000, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. More than 1,800 new beds have been added so far this year, bringing the nationwide total to 65,143.

At the end of last year, official statistics recorded 63,248 beds in operation, a figure that has since increased by 1,895.

The Ministry stated that the current capacity comprises 43,247 beds in resorts, 15,494 in guest houses, 3,918 in safari vessels and 2,484 in hotels. In terms of facilities, 1,254 are presently open to tourists, including 174 resorts, 903 guest houses, 161 safari operations and 16 hotels.

This expansion in capacity has been accompanied by steady growth in tourist arrivals. Statistics show that 1,492,075 visitors have travelled to the Maldives so far this year, representing a 9.4 per cent increase on the 1,363,333 recorded during the same period last year.

The Government has set an ambitious annual target of 2.3 million arrivals. To meet this objective, a further 807,925 visitors will be required before the end of the year. Officials calculated that this equates to an average of 6,732 arrivals per day over the next 120 days.

With the high season approaching, the Administration anticipates that arrivals will continue to rise, supported by the additional accommodation capacity now in place across the islands.