Maldives receives 6.7% more tourists in March 2011

The Maldives in March had drawn 80,005 tourists, up 6.7% over the corresponding period of last year.

Arrivals from Europe amounted to 57,875 with majority being Italians, followed by French, Germans and Russians. Arrivals from UK had fallen to 9,631from 11,394 in March 2010.

Maldives also attracted 8,299 Chinese tourists.

In the first quarter of 2011, there had been 246,606 tourists in the Maldives, up by 12.3% over the corresponding period of last year.

Last year in December the Maldives celebrated 750,000 tourists bringing the total to 791,917 in 2010.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture has forecast slightly over 800,000 tourists in 2011.