A wave of new arrivals in early May has continued to drive the Maldives’ tourism momentum, with over 54,000 international visitors welcomed in the first ten days of the month alone marking a 17.6% year-on-year increase. Traditionally seen as a quieter post-peak period, May 2025 is already shaping up to be a strong contributor to the country’s tourism performance this year.
According to the Maldives tourism update Issue 15 published by Ministry of Tourism and Environment on 08th may 2025, 54,058 tourists arrived between 1–10 May 2025, compared to 45,979 in the same period of 2024. This performance comes on the heels of a similarly encouraging April, which recorded a 17.8% growth over the previous year. As of 10 May, the Maldives has welcomed a total of 870,979 tourists in 2025, an 8.1% increase over the 818,341 arrivals recorded during the same period last year. On average, 5,748 tourists are arriving daily, further underscoring the nation’s sustained appeal among global travelers.
Accommodation statistics show that resorts continue to lead in popularity, hosting 70.8% of visitors (616,521 tourists), followed by guesthouses which accounted for 23.7% (206,723 tourists). Safari vessels attracted 2.5% (21,723 tourists), while hotels contributed 3.0% (25,813 tourists). As of 7 May 2025, 97.2% of the operational bed capacity, equivalent to 63,070 beds—was active across 1,189 registered establishments, including 183 resorts, 832 guesthouses, 158 safari vessels, and 16 hotels.
China remained the top source market for the Maldives, with 98,644 tourist arrivals recorded by early May. Russia followed closely with 92,929 arrivals, the United Kingdom with 90,671, Italy with 78,338, and Germany with 67,061. Notably, India, which has historically ranked among the top three markets, now stands in sixth position. These shifts highlight the evolving dynamics of global travel patterns post-pandemic.
Enhancing the Maldives’ accessibility, 44 international airlines operated flights into the country during this period, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and several major carriers from Asia and Europe. This growing air connectivity has been instrumental in accommodating the surge in visitor numbers.
The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) continues to play a central role in promoting the destination through international campaigns and trade events. In 2025 alone, MMPRC has already executed strategic promotions in key markets such as China, Germany, and the Middle East, along with high-profile participations at global expos like ITB Berlin, ATM Dubai, and OTM India. These initiatives are designed to maintain top-of-mind awareness of the Maldives as a premium destination offering unmatched natural beauty and luxury experiences.
With current trends and capacity utilization, May 2025 is expected to close with even higher arrival figures than in recent years. The steady growth affirms the Maldives’ resilient recovery and continued desirability among global travelers, thanks to coordinated efforts between the government, industry stakeholders, and promotional bodies like the MMPRC.
As the Maldives continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most sought-after island destinations, these encouraging numbers reflect a vibrant tourism economy and a robust strategy to sustain long-term growth.
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