The Maldives is enjoying increased tourism popularity in the Middle East as it witnessed a 5.9 per cent increase in traffic from the region in 2018 as compared to 2017, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Tourism.

The Maldives has been consistently rated as the top destination to visit by several Media houses, publications and broadcast channels in the Middle East, the Ministry of Tourism said in a statement.

As a desirable country to visit, travellers from the Middle East are flocking to the island nation and the growth is being fuelled by strong airline connections and the visa on arrival facility that the Maldives offers.

In 2018, the Maldives further confirmed its status as one of the most attractive holiday destinations for Middle East tourists, with the opening of at least 23 new resorts, it said.

Efforts from the Tourism ministry combined with the unparalleled service, luxury and levels of hospitality and privacy that Maldivian resorts offer, will definitely spill over in 2019 as well and ring in unprecedented arrival numbers for the Maldives from the Middle East market in the coming year as well, it said. - TradeArabia News Service