Tourist arrivals to the Maldives in May 2025 have continued on a strong trajectory, with a 14.6 percent increase recorded for the first 17 days of the month compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, 81,365 tourists visited the country between 1st and 17th May, up from 70,986 during the same period in 2024.
The performance signals a promising start to what is typically a shoulder month between the busy winter and summer seasons. On average, the country welcomed around 4,786 additional tourists compared to last year over the same timeframe. While February marked the only monthly dip in 2025 so far, May’s numbers suggest a return to the year’s broader trend of steady gains.
In terms of overall arrivals, the Maldives reached 912,109 tourists as of 17 May 2025, representing an 8.2 percent increase year-on-year. Resorts remain the dominant accommodation choice, hosting over 648,000 tourists (71.1 percent of all arrivals), followed by guesthouses which captured 23.4 percent of the market.
China remains the top source market in 2025, contributing 11.5 percent of all visitors. Russia and the United Kingdom follow closely, while India, Italy, and Germany continue to feature prominently in the top ten.
The growth in May is significant given that the total bed capacity has only marginally increased since last year. As of mid-May 2025, the Maldives has 1,193 registered tourism facilities with a combined operational bed capacity of 64,926. Guesthouses continue to offer a meaningful share of this, with over 14,300 beds across 836 establishments.
As tourism continues to show resilience and expansion, May’s performance strengthens expectations for the rest of the off-peak season. However, trends in key markets and external conditions will likely shape the outlook for the coming months.
