Maldives records half million tourist arrivals

The half million mark in tourist arrivals were recorded last month, the Tourism Ministry said.

Figures released by the Ministry showed that from January to October, 553,882 arrivals were recorded which is a 13 percent increase over the year-ago period which recorded 489,708 arrivals.

Last month's arrivals alone marked an increase over October 2006; last month there were 58,706 arrivals, an increase over October last year which recorded 54,721 arrivals.

The average occupancy for this year is 82 percent.

The Ministry predicts a 15 percent increase in arrivals this year. However, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board, run under the Ministry, is of the view that this year there will be an 8.5 percent increase. This would mean that the MTPB predicts Maldives will record 653,000 arrivals for this year while the Ministry estimates 690,000 arrivals.