Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/7252
Title: Tourist profile and opinion survey report 2008
Authors: Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture
Issue Date: 2008
Publisher: Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture
Citation: Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture. (2008). Tourist profile and opinion survey report 2008. Male’: Ministry of Tourism.
Abstract: 1. VISITOR ARRIVALS Europe (66%) and Asia (22%) are the major regional markets of tourists to the Maldives. Of the European visitors, most were from Western Europe. Britain is the largest inbound market (16%) of tourist arrivals to the Maldives, followed by France (13%); Germany (12%) and Italy (12%). China is the largest Asian inbound market (7%) followed by Japan (6%). Compared to tourist arrivals in 2004, there was an 8% increase in visitor numbers from France, while there was an 11% decrease in visitor numbers from Italy. 2. DEMOGRAPHICS Visitors aged 25 to 44 years (62%) are the largest international holiday market to the Maldives followed by visitors aged 45 to 64 years (20%). For every 100 international female tourists to the Maldives there were 108 male tourists. The greatest gender disparity in arrivals was in the Middle East market with 65% more male arrivals. 3. PURPOSE OF VISIT The main reasons for tourists coming to the Maldives were relaxation (55%); honeymoon (28%) and diving (11%). The main reasons for choosing the Maldives as a holiday destination were peacefulness and tranquility (34%); white sandy beaches (31%) or climate (18%).4. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE Of the tourists to the Maldives, 39% were professionals; 16% were legislators, senior officials, or managers; and 11% were techni- cians or associate professionals. Of the tourists to the Maldives, 36% earn more than USD 41,000 annually. Middle income earners who earn within the income bracket of USD 31,000 to 40,000 accounted for 9% of visitors. Income earners within the income brackets of USD 21,000 to 30,000 and USD 20,000 or less made up 21% and 14% respectively. When compared to 2004, there is a 16% increase in the number of high income earners (USD > 51,000 annually) visiting the Maldives in 2008 and there is a 5% decrease in the number of low income earners (USD < 20,000). 5. MODE OF TRAVEL Singapore Airlines (16%), Sri Lankan (15%) and Emirates (14%) were the most popular airline choices for tourists to the Maldives. 6. TRIP PLANNING Travel agents were used to organize travel to the Maldives by 45% of tourists; while tour operators were used by 24% and the internet by 24%. 7. INFORMATION SOURCES AND INTERNET USAGE The most common information sources used by tourists to the Maldives were friends and relatives (24%); internet (23%) or travel agents (18%). 8. TRAVEL PARTY The majority of tourists to the Maldives travelled as an adult couple (67%) while 18% travelled as groups of family, relatives or friends. Of all tourists to the Maldives, 6% travelled unaccompanied.9. REPEAT VISITORS The majority of visitors were first-time-visitors to the Maldives (75%), with only 25% repeat visitors. 10. LENGTH AND PLACE OF STAY The average length of stay for tourists to the Maldives is 8 nights. Of the tourists to the Maldives, 90% stayed in resorts, 4% in hotels and guest houses and 2% in safari vessels. 11. MEAL PLAN Full-board (32%) and all-inclusive (31%) are the most popular meal plans. Of the visitors, 19% opted for half board and 13% chose bed and breakfast. 12. ACTIVITIES The activities enjoyed most by tourists to the Maldives were: diving (32%); spa (20%); water sports (18%) and island hopping (14%). Surfing was enjoyed by 2% of tourists. Although the capital Male’ is a short distance away from most resorts, only 30% of tourists visited the capital. Of whom, 70% stated sightseeing as their main reason for traveling to Male’ while 14% stated shopping. 13. EXPENDITURES Of the tourists to the Maldives, 48% spent below USD 1,000 during their trip, 36% spent between USD 1,000 and 5,000, and 10% of visitors spent more than USD 5,000. 14. QUALITY OF AIRPORT SERVICES Of the tourists to the Maldives, only 34% rated immigration services as ‘excellent’, while only 35% rated customs services as ‘excel-lent’. Less than 26% rated the services at the information counter as ‘excellent’. For an up market holiday destination, airport services have to be outstanding. Several of the visitors commented on the need for a speedier immigration process and friendly greetings. 15. QUALITY OF MEET-N-GREET SERVICES Over 71% of the tourists were more than satisfied with the meet n greet service provided at the airport by resort representatives and 45% rated the service as ‘excellent’. Similarly, 70% of tourists were more than satisfied with the sea transfer service from the airport to the resort and 42% rated the service as ‘excellent’. Of those who evaluated the sea plane air transfer services, 47% rated the service as ‘excellent’. 16. QUALITY OF PLACE OF STAY The quality of place of stay was assessed on both front-line visitor services and facilities. The quality aspects assessed were accom- modation, food, beverages, cleanliness, hospitality, resort facilities and recreational facilities. On average 44% rated their place of stay as ‘excellent’ in all 7 categories assessed. Hospitality was rated as ‘excellent’ by 57% of tourists and accommodation was rated as ‘excellent’ by 48% of the visitors. The recreational facilities and beverages received the lowest score with only 35% and 36% rating these aspects as ‘excellent’. 17. QUALITY OF ENVIRONMENT Of the tourists, 60% rated the natural environment at their place of stay as ‘excellent’. The overall concept of resort/hotel was rated as ‘excellent’ by 46% of visitors. The design and interior decoration of the room was rated ‘excellent’ by 41% of visitors. 18. PRICE PERCEPTIONS Overall, the prices of water, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks were found to be ‘expensive’ in the Maldives. The prices charged for drinking water in the resorts of the Maldives was considered ‘expensive’ by 40% of tourists. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks were considered ‘expensive’ by 38% and 36% of visitors respectively. The souvenir items were considered ‘expensive’ by 40% of visitors.Prices charged for accommodation and food in the Maldives is ‘reasonable’. Of the tourists to the Maldives 53% considered accom- modation prices as ‘reasonable’ while 52% considered food prices as ‘reasonable’. 19. MEETING EXPECTATIONS Over 90% of tourists to the Maldives stated that the holiday met their expectations. One out of two visitors to the Maldives had visited a destination similar to the Maldives. The most popular similar destinations are Phuket, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Other similar destinations include Caribbean, Bali, Malaysia, Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, Philippines, Goa, Indonesia and Hainan Islands. The Maldives is competitive with other similar destinations and does not have a significant price disadvantage. Half of the tourists to the Maldives rated the quality of the services or facilities, security and hospitality in the Maldives to be at the same level as in similar destinations. 20. INTENTION TO REVISIT OR RECOMMEND Over 80% of tourists to the Maldives have the intention to visit the Maldives again, while 98% of the visitors would recommend the Maldives to others as a holiday destination.
URI: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/7252
ISBN: ISBN: 9991596011
Appears in Collections:ފަތުރުވެރިކަމާއި މެހުމާންދާރީ
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