The number of Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives has reached a significant milestone, with 202,613 arrivals so far this year, according to the Tourism Ministry. This figure accounts for 14.6% of the total tourist arrivals in the Maldives, making Chinese tourists the largest group of visitors this year.

The increase marks a notable rise from last year, when only 127,000 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives. The growing interest from China has positioned it as the top market for tourism in the country, surpassing Russia, which has recorded approximately 149,000 visitors this year. Britain ranks third with over 119,000 tourists.

Overall, the Maldives has welcomed 1.3 million tourists this year, with the number expected to exceed 1.4 million by the end of September. Currently, the daily influx of tourists exceeds 5,000. The Maldivian government has set an ambitious target of attracting more than two million tourists by the end of the year, compared to 1.8 million visitors recorded at the end of last year.

The boost in tourist numbers, particularly from China, highlights the Maldives' growing appeal as a global travel destination and underscores the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism sector.