The tourism sector is the largest foreign exchange earning sector. Tourists arrival has increased from 83814 in 1984 to 279,655 in 1994. Furthermore there has also been a large increase in bed capacity from 4724 to 10,108 in 10 years. The huge demand from the emerging economies in Asia helped to more than offset  the decrease in arrivals from Europe due to recessions. This also decreased the dependence on Europe’s economic condition. In 1994 the number of tourist totalling 279,655 exceeded the local population of 244,644. (Data source: Statistical Year Book of Maldives 1995) 

For more information visit Official Website of Ministry of Tourism