Maldives, the recent winner of the World's Leading Destination Award at the World Travel Awards 2020, has enjoyed immense popularity among the Russian market of travelers.
The sunny paradise reopened its borders on July 15 after COVID-19 took the world by storm, and has now recorded over 72,000 travelers. Russians have notably been observed as the highest number of arrivals.
Statistics released by the Tourism Ministry show that while Maldives has received a total of 72,623 tourists, Russia is the nation with the highest number of arrivals. 16,285 Russian tourists have been observed traveling to Maldives.
Next on the list is India and although it is an important market, is not even close with Russia in terms of arrivals. 8,690 tourists from India have been recorded to Maldives.
These are two markets for Maldives which has surged since reopening. Most notably, the nation has enjoyed immense popularity among celebrities and high-end travelers from India. 5,312 tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom, and 5,218 tourist arrivals from the United States.
Maldives has now recorded a total of 455,470 tourist arrivals.
The nation ended its near four-month lockdown, reopening its borders, resorts, and liveaboard vessels for tourists in July. It began allowing the reopening of guesthouses and hotels in residential islands for tourists in October.
Statistics released by the Tourism Ministry show 117 guesthouses in 24 residential islands are currently operational, along with 126 resorts, 5 hotels, and 123 liveaboard vessels.
Tourism Ministry is targeting 500,000 tourist arrivals this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a severe blow to a country that had enjoyed more than triple the number last year.
Maldives is currently open to all tourists, provided they have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure from their original destination.
