The Maldives continues to see a steady rise in tourist arrivals in 2025, with a 9.7% increase recorded during the first 18 days of January compared to the same period last year. According to the Ministry of Tourism, 117,532 tourists arrived in the Maldives as of 18th January 2025, up from 107,119 during the same timeframe in 2024.
Key Comparisons: January 2024 vs 2025
The latest data reveals a consistent upward trend in tourist arrivals, highlighting the Maldives’ ongoing popularity as a global travel destination. Notably, the arrivals in January 2025 already surpass the numbers seen in January 2023 by a considerable margin of 19.98%. This steady growth underscores the sector’s resilience and its importance to the country’s economy.
Market Trends and Analysis
Russia emerged as the top source market in early 2025, with 15,077 arrivals, representing 12.8% of the total. Italy followed with 12,560 visitors (10.7%), while China—previously the top market in 2024—ranked third with 11,560 arrivals (9.8%). Other key markets included the United Kingdom (10,621 arrivals, 9.0%) and Germany (7,313 arrivals, 6.2%).
While Russia’s continued dominance reflects its consistent preference for Maldives holidays, the resurgence of China’s market is particularly noteworthy. After pandemic-related travel restrictions eased, the return of Chinese tourists signals a broader recovery in international travel patterns.
Accommodation Breakdown
Resorts continue to dominate the Maldives’ tourism landscape, accounting for 69.6% of all arrivals. Guesthouses follow with 25.4%, reflecting growing interest in more affordable options for travellers. Hotels and safari vessels make up smaller shares of 2.5% each, catering to niche markets.
As of 18th January 2025, the Maldives operates 1,161 tourist facilities with a total of 62,512 beds, slightly up from 61,790 beds the previous year. Resorts alone account for 43,541 of these, reinforcing their role as the backbone of the Maldives’ tourism offering.
Challenges and Opportunities
Although the numbers are promising, the Maldives faces challenges in balancing rapid growth with sustainability. Resorts dominate bed capacity, but guesthouses, especially in local islands, represent an opportunity to promote community-based tourism. Diversifying markets and leveraging emerging source countries such as Kazakhstan and Romania, which entered the top 10, could also boost growth.
The Maldives’ strategy for 2025 should focus on sustaining high growth while addressing environmental and infrastructural pressures. Investments in eco-tourism and efforts to spread tourism benefits beyond resort islands could help balance development with sustainability.
Outlook for 2025
The continued rise in arrivals, aided by the return of Chinese tourists and a strong performance from established markets like Russia and Italy, signals a positive outlook for 2025. If the trend continues, the Maldives is poised for another record-breaking year in tourism, further strengthening its position as a premier global destination.
As the tourism sector evolves, the Maldives has the opportunity to lead by example, focusing on sustainable development while capitalising on growing international interest.
