Tourist arrivals to the Maldives continued to rise in December, with figures for the first 20 days pointing to sustained year on year growth during what is traditionally the busiest month for the tourism sector.
Data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment show that 135,280 tourists visited the country between 1 and 20 December 2025. This represents an increase of 10.8 percent compared to the same period last year, when arrivals stood at 122,064. The daily average for the period was 6,764 visitors, reflecting steady demand heading into the final stretch of the year.
December’s performance builds on the broader trend seen throughout 2025. By 20 December, total arrivals for the year had reached 2,157,341, up from 1,959,699 at the same point in 2024. While the full month has yet to close, the December figures so far suggest the year end peak season is holding up well, even against a strong base from last year.
China remained the largest source market as of 20 December, accounting for 325,544 arrivals, followed by Russia with 267,341 visitors and the United Kingdom with 194,931. Germany and Italy rounded out the top five markets. The distribution highlights the continued importance of both Asian and European markets during the peak winter travel period.
Resorts continued to dominate accommodation choices, hosting nearly three quarters of all visitors so far this year. Guesthouses accounted for just over a fifth of arrivals, while hotels and safari vessels made up a smaller share. This pattern remained broadly consistent through December, underlining the central role of the resort sector during the high season.
With arrivals in December still underway at the time of reporting, final figures are expected to edge higher by month end. The data nevertheless point to a strong close to the year, with December reinforcing the Maldives’ position as a preferred winter destination and providing momentum as the industry looks ahead to the new year.
