Daily tourist arrivals to the Maldives have fallen significantly following widespread flight suspensions linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism show that the country recorded an average of 8,049 tourist arrivals per day toward the end of February. However, since tensions in the Middle East intensified and several airlines suspended operations, daily arrivals have dropped to below 5,000.

The ministry’s latest figures indicate that 6,440 tourists arrived in the Maldives on the first day of the month. The number then declined sharply to 4,107 arrivals on the second day, before slightly recovering to 4,988 arrivals on the third day.

Several major Middle Eastern carriers that serve as key transit routes for travelers to the Maldives have suspended flights.

These include Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates, while operations by FlyDubai, Gulf Air, and Air Arabia have also been disrupted.

These airlines transport a substantial number of tourists to the Maldives, particularly visitors traveling from European markets via Middle Eastern hubs.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives Mohamed Ameen said that a significant number of scheduled flights had been cancelled as a result of the situation.

According to the Minister, 18 out of the 53 flights scheduled to arrive in the Maldives yesterday were cancelled, a development he said would inevitably impact the country’s tourism industry.

The regional tensions began following military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, after which the situation escalated further.

Analysts warn that if the conflict continues for an extended period, it could create serious challenges for the Maldivian economy, particularly in sectors heavily dependent on international travel such as tourism.