Tourist arrivals to the Maldives have reached 1.22 million as of 19 July 2025, showing a 9.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The data, published in the latest daily update by the Ministry of Tourism, suggests steady recovery and growth in the sector, although monthly fluctuations point to some persistent volatility.
While most months recorded healthy year-on-year gains, February saw a 1.5 percent decline in arrivals compared to February 2024. This was the only month so far in 2025 to post a contraction, but it was offset by strong performance in April (up 17.8 percent), May (13.1 percent), and June (15.0 percent). The first 19 days of July have seen a 14.4 percent increase over the same period last year.
Resorts remain the dominant accommodation type, hosting nearly 73 percent of all tourists, followed by guesthouses at 22 percent. The guesthouse segment, primarily driven by budget and mid-range travellers, continues to play an increasingly important role in distributing tourism benefits across inhabited islands.
In terms of source markets, China has maintained its position at the top, accounting for 14 percent of arrivals so far this year, followed by Russia (11.7 percent), the UK (9.5 percent), Italy (7.4 percent), and Germany (7.2 percent). India, once a leading market, ranks sixth with a 5.9 percent share. The US, France, Switzerland, and Spain round out the top ten.
The Maldives currently has 1,238 licensed tourist facilities in operation, offering a total of 65,697 beds across resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and safari vessels. This includes 880 registered guesthouses with nearly 15,000 beds, and 183 resorts accounting for just over 45,000 beds.
Despite the positive overall trend, the February dip serves as a reminder of the industry’s vulnerability to global events and seasonal shifts. As the second half of the year begins, maintaining growth momentum may depend on how effectively the Maldives can adapt to changing travel patterns, increase connectivity, and diversify its marketing strategies beyond traditional markets.
