As of 28 May 2025, a total of 954,335 tourists have visited the Maldives, an increase of 8.1 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.
Hotelier Maldives
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has reported that total tourist arrivals have reached 950,000, according to its latest issue of Tourism Updates. As of 28 May 2025, a total of 954,335 tourists have visited the Maldives, an increase of 8.1 percent compared to the corresponding period last year. This includes 123,591 tourists who visited during the month of May 2025, marking a 12.0 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The daily average arrivals for the month is reported to be 4,414 tourists as of the publication date. This sharp increase in May arrivals suggests a strengthening growth momentum, presenting an opportunity to further capitalize on recent trends through targeted marketing and resource planning.
China remains the top tourist market as of 28 May 2025, accounting for 11.9 percent of total arrivals. Other markets in the top five include Russia, the U.K., Italy, and Germany. Together, these markets account for 49.2 percent of total arrivals. While the U.K. remained the second-largest market until the end of April 2025, Russia has now become second-largest, with a total of 103,358 tourists visiting as of the publication date. It is also noteworthy that Australia is now listed among the top 10 source markets, while the United Arab Emirates, which was on the list at the end of last month, is no longer on the list. These changes in market share likely reflect shifts in travel patterns, emphasizing the importance of aligning marketing efforts with emerging trends in key markets.
The Ministry reports that 71.4 percent of total arrivals were to resorts, while 23.2 percent were to guesthouses. Although the majority of tourists continue to arrive at resorts, arrivals to hotels and tourist vessels are also increasing in line with the overall increase in total arrivals. While this suggests a steady demand across various accommodation types, stakeholders could develop and promote a broader range of facilities to support the industry’s objective of diversifying the tourism sector and enhancing the visitor experience. This would also help expand economic opportunities across atolls and alleviate congestion in the country’s primary tourism hubs.
As of 28 May 2025, 98.5 percent of registered beds were reported to be in operation, with resorts accounting for 69.0 percent of the total bed capacity. While the Ministry also reports a total of 1,204 tourist accommodation facilities, it states that 176 resorts in 19 different atolls and 847 guesthouses across 20 different atolls were in operation as of the reporting date. With 58 resorts, 9 hotels, and 301 guesthouses located in Kaafu Atoll, 43.7 percent of total tourist arrivals were reported to have visited this atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, which recorded the second highest arrivals at 9.0 percent, has 12 resorts and 154 registered guesthouses. This concentration of tourism activities in key atolls highlights the importance of promoting balanced tourism development across the country, preserving natural ecosystems, and enhancing socio-economic benefits nationwide.
