A total of 1.3 million tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year.

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism, this represents a 3.9 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, when the country welcomed 1.4 million tourists.

China continues to lead as the top source market for tourist arrivals, ranking first with 247,248 tourists. Russia stands in second place with 196,894 tourists, followed by the United Kingdom in third place with 105,081 tourists.

Of the total arrivals, 73.4 percent of tourists spent their holidays in resorts, while 22.2 percent stayed in guesthouses.

Tourism Ministry figures show that 25,091 tourists arrived aboard cruise liners so far this year.

Velana International Airport handled the vast majority of visitors, recording 1,335,388 tourist arrivals, while 4,844 tourists arrived through Gan International Airport in Addu.