The Maldives’ tourism sector entered June this year with a strong momentum, recording a 38.2% rise in tourist arrivals during the first nine days compared to the same period last year. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the country welcomed 45,614 visitors between June 1st and 9th, up from 32,996 in the corresponding period of 2024.
This growth continues the upward trajectory seen throughout the year. By 9 June, total arrivals for 2025 had reached 1,011,972—marking a 9.4% increase compared to the same point in 2024. April and May posted gains of 17.8% and 13.1% respectively, signalling a strong recovery and renewed global interest in the Maldives as a top-tier holiday destination.
Resorts maintained their lead in the market, accounting for over 71% of arrivals—a slight increase from 69% at the end of May. Guesthouses claimed a notable 23% share. China topped the source markets with over 121,000 visitors so far this year, followed closely by Russia and the United Kingdom.
With a robust start to June and solid performance across the first half of the year, the Maldives appears well on course to exceed previous tourism records. The early momentum reinforces its standing as one of the world’s most sought-after destinations.
On 6 June, the Maldives celebrated a significant milestone by welcoming its one millionth tourist of the year—earlier than ever before. The government has set a target of attracting 2.3 million visitors by the end of 2025.
However, despite reaching this milestone ahead of schedule, the latest Macroeconomic Update from the Ministry of Finance and Planning reveals a more tempered outlook. Bed nights increased by just 0.7% in the first quarter of the year, while the average duration of stay fell to 6.1 days under the baseline scenario. This shift has placed pressure on per-tourist revenue, prompting the government to focus on data-driven pricing strategies and more targeted marketing efforts aimed at encouraging longer stays and increasing tourist expenditure.
