The Maldives has welcomed 1,520,699 tourists so far this year, reflecting a 9.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 1,386,554 arrivals were recorded, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
This steady growth keeps the nation on track to achieve its ambitious target of 2.3 million visitors by the end of the year—surpassing last year’s historic milestone of two million. Current statistics show an average of 6,232 arrivals per day.
The upward trend remains strong. In the first week of September alone, tourist arrivals rose by 23.6 percent compared to the same period last year, with 33,773 visitors reported.
Monthly figures highlight consistent inflows: January saw 214,863 visitors, February 214,091, and March 203,468. A slight slowdown occurred in May (135,614) and June (141,772), but arrivals quickly recovered in July (186,738) and August (192,058).
China has reclaimed its position as the Maldives’ largest source market, contributing over 240,000 visitors this year, or 15.8 percent of total arrivals. Russia follows with 182,315 visitors, while the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany complete the top five, each surpassing 100,000 arrivals.
The Maldives continues to strengthen its global reputation as a leading destination, having secured the title of World’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards for five consecutive years. In 2024, the country also received the World’s Leading Green Destination Award, underscoring its commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental protection.
Further growth is anticipated with the opening of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), which will accommodate up to 7.5 million passengers annually.
