The Maldives welcomed 2.25 million tourist arrivals in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism, delivering a solid year of growth even as the figure came in below the government’s target of 2.3 million arrivals. Statistics released by the ministry on Saturday show the year recorded a 9.8 per cent increase compared with 2024, with an average of 6,155 visitors arriving per day, reflecting sustained global demand for Maldivian travel experiences. While the annual target was not reached, the ministry reported the gap at 153,000 visitors, and the overall performance underlines the destination’s continued momentum across key markets and peak seasons.
Over the past three years, arrivals have followed a clear upward trajectory, rising from 1.88 million in 2023 to 2.05 million in 2024, and reaching 2.25 million in 2025. The strongest period of the year was the year-end holiday season, with December registering 224,455 arrivals, up 7.4 per cent compared with 208,980 arrivals in December of the previous year, highlighting the Maldives’ resilience as a premium winter-sun destination for international travellers. This seasonal strength is especially significant for tourism businesses and investors, as year-end travel typically drives higher occupancy, longer stays, and stronger yield performance across the hospitality sector.
Resorts continued to be the primary pillar of the Maldives’ tourism economy in 2025, hosting around 1.6 million visitors, equivalent to 73 per cent of total arrivals. The resort segment’s dominant share signals the enduring appeal of the Maldives’ signature offerings: private island stays, high-end villa inventory, world-class spa and wellness experiences, marine excursions, and a service culture built around privacy and personalization. For global travellers, Maldivian resorts remain synonymous with curated experiences—from romantic getaways and family holidays to diving, snorkeling, and sustainable nature-based activities, supported by a wide range of internationally recognised brands and independent luxury properties. With resorts capturing the majority of arrivals, the sector remains central to foreign exchange earnings, employment, and the broader value chain that supports transport, excursions, local procurement, and destination experiences.
Alongside resorts, the guesthouse sector continued to play an important role in diversifying the visitor mix, attracting about 500,000 tourists, or 22 per cent, while hotels hosted more than 58,000 visitors. This distribution points to a maturing tourism landscape that offers multiple price points and travel styles, helping the Maldives remain competitive across different segments, including premium leisure, experiential travel, and value-conscious holidaymakers. The blend of resort, guesthouse, and hotel stays also strengthens the country’s ability to capture demand across changing market conditions while supporting broader participation in tourism.
China emerged as the largest source market in 2025 with 329,428 arrivals, followed by Russia with 287,760. The United Kingdom ranked third with 202,171 visitors, while Germany recorded 167,822, Italy accounted for 153,258, and India contributed 131,625 arrivals. The ministry expects these six countries to remain the leading source markets with no change in ranking, providing a stable outlook for tourism operators planning airlift partnerships, sales strategies, and seasonal marketing. With steady growth over the past three years and strong performance during the peak holiday period, the Maldives enters the new year with a proven demand base and a resort-led proposition that continues to resonate with global travellers seeking distinctive island experiences
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