Tourism performance in February continued to reinforce the Maldives’ strong start to 2026, with arrival figures showing steady growth compared to last year and a resilient daily intake despite typical mid month fluctuations.
According to the latest daily update released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, total arrivals for February stood at 60,339 as of 7 February, reflecting an 8.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth came on top of a strong January, suggesting that momentum carried into February rather than tapering off after the peak New Year period Daily Update – 8 February 2026.
Cumulatively, arrivals for January and February reached 285,127 as of 7 February, up from 270,706 during the same period last year, representing overall growth of 5.3 percent. The data indicates that February is contributing meaningfully to year to date performance, rather than acting as a softer shoulder month.
Daily arrival figures for early February show a degree of variability, with arrivals ranging between around 7,600 and just over 10,200 per day during the first week. While this reflects normal weekday and weekend movement, the daily averages remain broadly in line with January levels, pointing to sustained demand rather than a post holiday slowdown.
Market composition in February remains consistent with trends observed at the start of the year. China and Russia continued to lead arrivals, each contributing just over 35,000 visitors and accounting for 12.3 percent of total market share respectively as of 7 February. European markets remained strong, with Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany collectively making up a significant share of arrivals, helping to balance demand across regions.
The distribution of arrivals by accommodation type also highlights February’s operational dynamics. Resorts accounted for 68 percent of total stays, while guesthouses made up 27 percent, underscoring the continued importance of local island tourism alongside traditional resort travel. Hotels and safari vessels together accounted for just under 5 percent of arrivals, broadly unchanged from earlier in the year.
In terms of capacity, total operational bed capacity stood at 66,925 beds as of 7 February, with resorts accounting for around two thirds of available beds. The alignment between capacity and arrival volumes suggests that February demand is being absorbed without immediate pressure on accommodation supply, particularly outside peak weekends.
Taken together, the February figures indicate a stable and healthy extension of January’s performance. While the month is still in its early stages, the pace of arrivals so far points to another solid month for the tourism sector, supporting broader economic activity as the year progresses.
