By Malé, Maldives – 17 July 2025 — The Maldives continues to solidify its standing as a world-class tourism destination, with over 1.2 million tourists visiting the island nation as of 16th July 2025, marking a 9.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, tourist arrivals have grown steadily year-on-year, rising from 1,675,303 in 2022 to 1,878,543 in 2023, followed by 2,046,615 visitors in 2024. The upward trend has continued into 2025, with a total of 1,202,262 tourists arriving by mid-July.
China Leads Tourist Arrivals
Among the top 10 source markets, China remains the leading contributor, accounting for 13.7% of total arrivals with 165,134 tourists. This is followed by Russia (11.7%), UK (9.6%), Italy (7.5%), and Germany (7.2%). Other notable markets include India, USA, France, Switzerland, and Australia.
Majority of Visitors Choose Resorts
Resorts remain the most preferred accommodation, attracting 72.8% of all tourists, followed by guesthouses (22.2%), hotels (2.7%), and tourist vessels (2.2%). As of 16th July 2025, there are 1,238 registered tourist establishments across the Maldives, offering a combined capacity of 65,697 beds — 98.1% of which are currently operational.
Strong First Half Performance
Monthly data indicates consistent growth through the first half of the year. Notably, March 2025 saw the highest monthly arrivals with over 224,874 tourists, followed by February (220,194) and January (234,683).
International Recognition
In further recognition of its global appeal, the Maldives has been nominated for two prestigious categories at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2025, reinforcing its position as a top-tier travel destination.
Expansion Across Atolls
Tourism growth is supported by extensive distribution of accommodation across the atolls. The majority of the bed capacity is found in resorts (68%), followed by guesthouses (23%), hotels (4%), and tourist vessels (5%), reflecting a balanced expansion of tourism infrastructure throughout the archipelago.