The Maldives has welcomed one million tourists so far this year, reaffirming the country’s continued appeal as one of the world’s most sought-after island destinations. According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Tourism, the one millionth visitor arrived on 20 June, marking an important point for the tourism industry, although the milestone was reached later than during the same period in 2025. Visitor arrivals remain 5 per cent below last year’s corresponding period, while the country is currently recording an average of approximately 5,700 arrivals per day.
The latest figures show that China remains the Maldives’ largest source market, contributing 169,798 visitors, or 16.2 per cent of total arrivals so far this year. Of these Chinese travellers, 65 per cent have chosen to stay at resorts, while 30 per cent selected guesthouse accommodation, underlining the continued strength of the Maldives’ resort segment among international holidaymakers. Russia follows with 150,978 visitors, representing 14 per cent of total arrivals, while the United Kingdom contributed 86,795 visitors, Italy 74,049 visitors, and Germany 67,379 visitors, reflecting the Maldives’ sustained popularity across both European and Asian markets.
Resorts continue to play the leading role in shaping the Maldives’ tourism performance and international brand identity. Across all markets, 72 per cent of tourists stayed at resorts, while 23 per cent opted for guesthouse accommodation. This distribution highlights the enduring global preference for the Maldives’ resort experience, which remains central to the country’s tourism offering. Known for privacy, high standards of hospitality, and exceptional natural surroundings, Maldivian resorts continue to attract travellers seeking premium leisure experiences, while also supporting the country’s reputation as a destination capable of serving a wide range of visitor expectations. The strength of the resort segment also reflects investor confidence in the destination and the sector’s importance in maintaining tourism revenues, employment, and international market visibility.
The ministry’s figures further show that women aged between 25 and 34 represent the largest visitor demographic, pointing to strong interest from younger global travellers. The Maldives currently has 67,868 operational tourist beds across 1,297 tourism establishments, demonstrating the scale and diversity of the country’s tourism infrastructure. This nationwide capacity continues to support the expansion of the industry while enabling the Maldives to cater to visitors through a combination of internationally recognised resorts and locally operated accommodation options.
The government has set a target of attracting 2.5 million tourists this year, a goal that has drawn close attention amid recent disruptions to international travel linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has previously stated that the government’s immediate priority is to ensure that total tourist arrivals do not fall below last year’s level. As the Maldives advances through the second half of the year, the latest figures suggest that the country remains firmly positioned in the global tourism market, with its resort sector continuing to serve as the main pillar of growth, resilience, and international appeal.
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