In May 2025, 70,466 tourist arrivals were recorded, representing a 15.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The average daily arrivals during this period stood at 5,033 visitors per day.
Edition.mv
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment reported that 900,000 tourists had visited the Maldives as of 14 May 2025, based on the latest statistics published on 15 May 2025. This marks an increase of 8.1 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year. In May 2025, 70,466 tourist arrivals were recorded, representing a 15.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The average daily arrivals during this period stood at 5,033 visitors per day. Of the total tourist arrivals during the year, 70.1 percent are reported to have stayed at resorts, while 23.5 percent are reported to have stayed in guesthouses.
Statistics on the distribution of accommodation facilities published by the Ministry show that the highest number of facilities are registered in Kaafu Atoll, including 57 resorts, 9 hotels, and 54 guesthouses. Consistent with these statistics and the previously observed trends, the highest number of arrivals was recorded in Kaafu atoll, representing 43.3 percent of the total arrivals this year.
The data also highlight the status of the central atolls as the main centre of tourism activities. The concentration of the tourism industry in this area reflects its proximity to the country’s main international airport, Velana International Airport, as well as the large number of accommodation facilities located in the region.
As of 14 May 2025, 63,094 beds are reported to be in operation by 14 May 2025, with 68.6 percent of these beds located in resorts. This figure shows a slight increase compared to the statistics published by the Ministry in May 2024, which reported 62,214 beds in operation by the end of that month, with 69.0 percent of the beds in resorts. While the proportion of resort beds remain relatively stable, the data indicates year-on-year growth in the bed capacity. Additionally, it shows that the resorts continue to dominate the industry, driven by sustained demand for resort accommodation among tourists visiting the Maldives.
The top market for the year remains to be China, accounting for 11.4 percent of the total arrivals. Russia, the UK, Italy, and Germany are also among the leading markets, collectively representing 37.6 percent of arrivals. This pattern broadly aligns with the trends observed at the end of 2024. While the country relies on a few key markets, the top ten tourist markets to the Maldives cover regions across Asia, Europe, and North America, demonstrating significant geographic diversity.
The Ministry reports that over 40 airlines were operating by the end of March 2025, facilitated by 14 functioning airports across the country. This reflects the country’s strong global air connectivity, supported by a blend of luxury, mid-range, and budget carriers, which highlights the multi-segment tourism strategy currently in place. The new terminal at Velana International Airport, scheduled to open before October 2025, is expected to further enhance the country’s tourism base by improving accessibility and increasing flight capacity.
