Tourism
In less than three decades, Maldives has transformed a cluster of uninhabited coral islands into one of the worlds most sought after destinations in the world. Its wealth of natural assets such as the white beached islands, the crystalline beauty of its turquoise lagoons, the splendour of its underwater world with its variety of marine life provides the main attraction for tourists. Starting from a bed capacity of 280 in 1972, the industry has boomed to a bed capacity of 16,608 spread over 87 resort islands, each located on its own self-contained individual island. All resorts generate their own power and desalinate their own water and are fully self reliant.
As the largest foreign exchange earner in the country the tourism sector contributes nearly 70% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The sector contributed an average of 33.4% of GDP annually from 1996 to 2001. Tourist arrivals increased by an average of 8.5% per year, reaching a total of over 460,000 visitors in 2001.
Although about 79% of tourists originally come from western European countries like Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Switzerland, tourist arrivals from Asia, Australia and Africa have also increased considerably. Asia comprised of 17% of all tourist arrivals in 1999. Japanese tourists continue to dominate the Asian market with over 54% of the total arrivals.
From small and simple to five-star plus luxury establishments, Maldivian resorts offer a variety of entertainment including water sports, incomparable diving, romantic getaways, and above all, sun, sea and sand.
Some of the international chains currently in operation in the Maldives are the Hilton, Four Seasons, Banyan Tree, Six Senses and Taj and Shangari-la.
MALDIVES TOURISM STATISTICS 2001
FLOW OF TOURISTS BY NATIONALITY, 1999 - 2001
MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF TOURIST ARRIVALS BY NATIONALITY, 2001
BED CAPACITY OF TOURIST RESORTS AND THE DISTANCE FROM THE AIRPORT, 1999 -
2001
TOTAL REGISTERED BED CAPACITY AND NUMBER OF ACCOMODATION BY TYPE,
1997 - 2001
RESORTS BY TYPE OF OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, 2001
BED CAPACITY UTILIZATION BY MONTH, 2001
TOURIST ARRIVALS, AVERAGE DURATION OF STAY AND TOURIST BED-NIGHTS BY
MONTH, 2000 - 2001
PROPORTION OF TOURISM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
BUDGET, 1997 - 2001
LOCALLY TRAINED AND CERTIFIED PERSONNEL IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM 2001
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2003
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