The Maldives has entered the high season with promising numbers, recording over 51,000 tourist arrivals in the first eight days of November 2025. Data from the Ministry of Tourism show a 14.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, signalling a positive start to the month.
As of 8 November, total arrivals for the year stood at 1.88 million, representing a 9.9 percent growth from 2024. China continues to lead as the top source market with nearly 299,000 arrivals, followed by Russia and the United Kingdom.
While the figures reflect steady growth, the challenge lies in the scale of the remaining target. To reach the government’s goal of 2.3 million visitors for the year, the country must attract roughly 420,000 more tourists before year-end. Historically, November and December are among the busiest months, but sustaining an average of over 6,000 arrivals per day throughout both months will be crucial to bridge the gap.
Industry observers note that several factors will influence whether the target can be achieved. These include maintaining strong flight connectivity, seasonal promotions by resorts, and stable demand from key markets amid shifting travel patterns in Europe and Asia.
For now, the trend remains encouraging. The first week of November has set a solid tone for the high season, but whether the momentum can carry through to meet the 2.3 million goal remains to be seen.
