China remains top source market as Maldives’ tourist arrivals fall 5%
The Maldives has welcomed one million tourists so far this year, although visitor arrivals remain 5 per cent lower than during the same period in 2025, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Tourism.
The country welcomed its one millionth visitor on 20 June, reaching the milestone later than it did last year.
Ministry statistics published on Thursday show the Maldives is currently receiving an average of around 5,700 tourist arrivals per day.
China remains the largest source market, accounting for 169,798 arrivals, or 16.2 per cent of total visitors.
According to the ministry:
- Sixty-five per cent of Chinese visitors stay at resorts.
- Thirty per cent choose guesthouse accommodation.
The other leading source markets are:
- Russia: 150,978 visitors (14 per cent)
- United Kingdom: 86,795 visitors (8.3 per cent)
- Italy: 74,049 visitors (7.1 per cent)
- Germany: 67,379 visitors (6.4 per cent)
Across all markets, 72 per cent of tourists stayed at resorts, while 23 per cent chose guesthouses.
The ministry’s data also show that women aged between 25 and 34 make up the largest visitor demographic.
The Maldives currently has 67,868 operational tourist beds across 1,297 tourism establishments.
The government has set a target of attracting 2.5 million tourists this year. However, the target has come under increased scrutiny following disruptions to international travel linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has previously said the government’s immediate objective is to ensure tourist arrivals do not fall below last year’s total.
