97,873 tourists visited the Maldives in the first 18 days of this year, according to statistics from the Ministry of Tourism.

The statistics shows that the number of tourists visiting the Maldives in the first 18 days of the year increased by 22.8 percent over the same period last year. 79,718 tourists during the same period last year.

Statistics also show that an average of 5,437 tourists visit the country daily. The largest number of tourists so far this year came from Russia. 15,218 tourists visited the country from Russia. Meanwhile, 10,660 Italian tourists and 9,242 Indian tourists also visited the Maldives.

Currently 36 international airlines are being operated in the Maldives and the government expects the number of tourists to increase significantly with the opening of the China market this week.