The Central Bank, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has predicted a record 2.4 million tourist arrivals in the coming year, signaling renewed momentum in the island nation's most vital economic sector. The forecast is backed by the strong performance during the first-half of the year, marked by sustained growth in both visitor numbers and overnight stays.
In its mid-year report, the central bank recorded a 9.1 percent increase in international arrivals during the first six months of 2025, compared to the same period last year. By the end of June, 1,108,130 tourists had visited the country, up from 1,015,527 in the corresponding period of 2024, MMA data showed.
Growth is also evident in the duration of stays, with total bed nights reaching 6,892,533 by mid-year, an increase of 1.2 percent over the same period last year. These figures reflect continued resilience in the tourism sector, supported by favorable market conditions and recent infrastructure enhancements, namely opening of the larger airport terminal.
Among the developments cited by the MMA is the inauguration of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport.
Now fully functional, the upgraded facility is expected to improve international connectivity and accommodate higher volumes of inbound traffic.
Earlier estimates released in May had placed expected arrivals for 2025 at 2.2 million. The government has since adjusted its own forecast, now anticipating 2.3 million visitors by year-end.
Meanwhile Passenger traffic through Velana International Airport has shown that the airport served 4.1 million travelers in the first half of the year, underscoring elevated activity at the country’s primary international gateway.
According to MACL statistics, 4,108,845 passengers traveled through VIA in the first six months of this year, marking a four percent passenger traffic increase compared to the same period last year.
Of the 4.1 million passengers, 2,669,969 were international passengers while 579,079 travelled domestically and the remaining 859,797 passengers flew by seaplane, the statistics showed.
The most passenger traffic on a single day was recorded on 4 January with 26,658 passengers handled by VIA on the day. A total of 7,439 passengers travelled by seaplane on 16 February, the most seaplane passenger traffic on record so far this year.
In line with the surge in passenger traffic, air traffic movements also increased by seven percent in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year. Air traffic movements in the first six months of this year stood at 124,665 with 17,614 international flights, 14,100 domestic flights along with 92,941 seaplane movements.
Now fully functional, VIA’s recently unveiled new international passenger terminal, capable of handling seven million passengers annually, is expected to improve international connectivity and accommodate higher volumes of inbound traffic.
