Tourist arrivals to the Maldives reached 2,223,698 as of 28 December 2025, marking a 9.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Daily Update released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
While overall growth in 2025 has been steady rather than explosive, the data shows a notable year-end surge, with 28 December recording the highest number of arrivals for the month and one of the strongest single-day performances of the year. Daily arrivals on 28 December reached 9,903, reflecting peak seasonal demand during the holiday period and highlighting the continued strength of the Maldives as a winter destination.
Monthly trends show that January recorded the strongest year-on-year growth rate at 11.7 percent, with arrivals totalling 214,863. February was the only month to see a contraction, declining by 1.5 percent compared to 2024. Growth accelerated sharply in April at 17.8 percent before settling into a narrower range between 9 and 15 percent for much of the year. For December, arrivals from 1 to 28 December increased by 8.2 percent year on year, indicating that while growth has moderated, volumes remain high.
The daily average for 2025 stood at 6,143 arrivals, but the spike seen towards the end of December suggests that peak-season performance continues to compensate for softer growth during shoulder periods. The late-December surge also points to strong forward bookings and sustained confidence among key source markets.
Resorts continued to dominate the accommodation landscape, hosting 1,632,340 tourists, or 73.4 percent of total arrivals. Guesthouses accounted for 484,667 arrivals, representing 21.8 percent, underlining the importance of local island tourism in absorbing visitor volumes. Hotels made up 2.6 percent of arrivals, while safari vessels accounted for 2.1 percent.
Accommodation capacity expanded only marginally during the year. As of 28 December, total operational bed capacity stood at 67,295, up slightly from last year. Resort and marina beds accounted for 44,523 beds across 178 islands, while guesthouses provided 16,818 beds across 113 islands. Hotel capacity remained unchanged at 2,598 beds, suggesting that higher arrivals were largely managed through increased occupancy rather than significant capacity additions.
China remained the Maldives’ largest source market in 2025, with 328,876 arrivals, accounting for 14.8 percent of total visitors. Russia followed with 274,246 arrivals, while the United Kingdom ranked third with 200,484 visitors. Germany and Italy completed the top five markets. India ranked sixth with 130,829 arrivals, while the United States, France, Spain, and Switzerland rounded out the top ten.
The concentration of arrivals among a limited number of major markets continues to support headline growth but also underscores ongoing exposure to shifts in a few key countries. Nevertheless, the strong performance seen in late December suggests that demand from these markets remains resilient.
Overall, the data indicates that while tourism growth in 2025 has normalised compared to earlier rebound years, the sector continues to close the year on a strong note. With limited capacity expansion and peak-season demand driving daily records, future performance is likely to hinge more on yield, length of stay, and spending patterns rather than headline arrival numbers alone.
