Tourism in the Maldives experienced robust growth in June 2025, recording a 15 percent year-on-year increase in international arrivals. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, a total of 141,772 tourists visited the island nation last month, up from approximately 123,000 in June 2024. This surge brings the cumulative number of arrivals for the first six months of the year to 1,108,130, representing a 9.1 percent growth compared to the same period last year.
The increase in arrivals is largely attributed to heightened demand from several key source markets, particularly in Asia and Europe. China continues to lead the tourism charts with 141,162 visitors, followed by Russia with 126,780, the United Kingdom with 108,371, Italy with 86,891, and Germany with 82,188. These figures reflect the Maldives’ continued popularity across a diverse range of international markets.
Accommodation trends indicate that resorts remain the top choice for visitors, with 72.4 percent of tourists opting for luxury island experiences. Guesthouses hosted 22.5 percent, largely benefiting local island economies, while hotels accounted for 2.8 percent of stays. This distribution underscores the Maldives’ strategic focus on diversifying accommodation options while maintaining its reputation as a premium destination.
The country has set an annual target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals for 2025, and with over 1.1 million already recorded by the end of June, government officials are confident the goal is within reach. A major contributing factor expected to bolster tourist arrivals in the coming months is the upcoming opening of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport, scheduled for 26 July 2025. The expanded terminal is expected to significantly enhance the country’s capacity to welcome international travelers and improve overall travel convenience.
In recent years, the government of the Maldives has intensified efforts to promote the country as a year-round travel destination. This includes initiatives to strengthen ties with global tourism partners, enhance aviation connectivity, and expand halal tourism offerings to attract more visitors from Muslim-majority nations. The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, continues to work on ensuring that resort and guesthouse facilities are aligned with halal tourism standards, including halal-certified food, private family facilities, and prayer spaces, catering to the preferences of Muslim travelers.
These developments are part of a broader national strategy to reinforce the Maldives’ position as a leading luxury, cultural, and sustainable tourism destination, while also ensuring equitable growth across all inhabited islands. By focusing on both high-end resort offerings and community-based guesthouse tourism, the country is working to balance economic opportunity with environmental preservation and cultural authenticity.
As the Maldives enters the second half of the year with positive momentum, the tourism sector remains a cornerstone of national development. With improved infrastructure, market-specific promotional campaigns, and a renewed commitment to inclusivity and quality, the island nation stands firmly on course to achieve its 2025 tourism goals.
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