Abstract:
This paper attempts to analyse the changes in the seasonality of tourism
activity caused by the surge in Chinese tourist arrivals; examine and
identify the possible reasons why Chinese tourists spend a relatively
shorter period in Maldives; and discuss the effects of this on the revenue
earned from tourism. Simple analytical tools were used to study changes
in tourist arrivals, seasonality and average stay over the past decade. The
peak season for Chinese tourists in Maldives was identified as the first
quarter and third quarter of the year, thus softening the high level of
seasonality prevalent in the industry. Meanwhile, the cost of travel and the
level of repeat visitors were found to influence the average stay of Chinese
tourists in the case of Maldives as well. Finally, a strictly non-negative
impact of a shorter average stay on tourism expenditure was found,
although there is very little data on tourism expenditure in Maldives to
come to any conclusion
