The Maldives has opened 2026 with record-breaking tourism figures, underscoring continued momentum in the country’s most vital economic sector.
January 2026 marked the highest monthly tourist arrivals ever recorded, with 224,788 visitors entering the country. This follows a strong close to 2025, when December arrivals reached 224,455—surpassing the previous monthly peak of 217,392 set in February 2024. Overall arrivals in 2025 rose by approximately 9.8 percent year-on-year, reflecting sustained demand across resorts, guesthouses, and safari vessels.
Tourism authorities attribute the latest surge to strengthened international marketing efforts, broader source-market outreach, and the implementation of an updated national tourism strategy led by Visit Maldives Corporation. In January alone, daily arrivals averaged more than 7,200 visitors, with consistent inflows from both European and Asian markets.
China and Russia have emerged as the leading source markets so far this year. By the 7th of February, more than 35,000 Chinese tourists had visited the Maldives. Current figures place China slightly ahead with 35,123 arrivals, followed closely by Russia with 35,112, while Italy ranks third with 28,676 visitors.
Cumulative arrivals for the year have reached 285,127, representing a five percent increase compared to the same period last year. Daily arrivals now average around 8,620 tourists, with the highest single-day figure recorded on 1 February, when 10,253 visitors arrived—marking the highest daily total to date. The previous record was set on 11 February last year with 10,213 arrivals.
The Maldives’ tourism recovery has remained steady since the pandemic-related shutdowns of 2020, when arrivals temporarily fell to zero in April due to global travel restrictions. Between 2012 and 2025, monthly arrivals averaged around 120,296, with gradual growth leading to the recent milestones. Accommodation capacity has also expanded, with more than 927 tourist establishments currently in operation, offering close to 50,000 beds across resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and safari vessels.
In 2025, the Maldives achieved a historic milestone with 2.2 million tourist arrivals. Building on this performance, the government has set an ambitious target of welcoming 2.5 million visitors in 2026.
Economic Impact
The rise in visitor numbers has delivered a substantial boost to tourism revenue. Travel receipts for 2025 are projected to exceed USD 5.4 billion, outperforming national targets. Tourism continues to play a central role in the Maldivian economy, supporting employment, driving infrastructure development, and reinforcing the country’s standing as a premier global island destination.
With strong momentum carrying into early 2026, the outlook for Maldivian tourism remains positive. Ongoing marketing initiatives, expanding accommodation capacity, and a diversified mix of source markets are expected to sustain growth and attract a broader range of international travelers in the months ahead.
