Maldives tourist arrivals reach 1.76 million as October figures rise by 0.2%
The Maldives welcomed a total of 1,762,751 tourists during the first ten months of 2026, with October recording 190,774 arrivals, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The cumulative figure represents a 3.5% decline compared to the 1,826,934 tourists recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, a difference of 64,183 arrivals.
However, tourist arrivals in October 2026 increased by 0.2% compared to the 190,445 tourists recorded in October 2025. The monthly figure also represents a 10.5% increase from October 2024, when the Maldives welcomed 172,621 tourists.
October arrivals showed a notable month-on-month increase, rising by 28.2% from the 148,801 tourists recorded in September 2026. The increase of 41,973 tourists reflects an improvement in monthly arrival volumes as the destination approaches the final two months of the year.
According to the ministry’s statistics, an average of 6,154 tourists arrived in the Maldives daily during October. The highest single-day arrival figure was recorded on 17 October, when 8,621 tourists entered the country. Another notable peak occurred on 24 October, with 8,154 arrivals.
When business travellers and cruise passengers are included, total international visitor arrivals reached 194,039 in October, an increase of 0.9% compared to 192,398 during the corresponding month in 2025. The October 2026 total comprised 190,774 tourists, 1,787 business arrivals and 1,478 cruise passengers.
Cumulative international visitor arrivals, including business travellers and cruise passengers, reached 1,797,060 by the end of October, compared to 1,851,429 during the corresponding period in 2025, representing a decline of 2.9%.
China remained the Maldives’ largest tourist source market during the first ten months of 2026, accounting for 331,817 arrivals and an 18.8% market share. Russia followed with 256,822 arrivals, representing 14.6%, while the United Kingdom ranked third with 135,897 arrivals and a 7.7% share.
Germany and Italy completed the top five markets, contributing 119,589 and 105,485 tourists, respectively. India ranked sixth with 102,442 arrivals, followed by Australia, the United States, France and Spain.
Resorts continued to account for the largest share of tourist accommodation, receiving 1,304,721 tourists, or 74% of total tourist arrivals recorded through October. Guesthouses accommodated 381,605 tourists, representing 21.6%, while hotels and tourist vessels accounted for 2.2% and 1.9%, respectively.
As of 1 November 2026, the Maldives had 1,280 operational tourist accommodation establishments, with a combined capacity of 67,984 beds. These included 180 resorts and marinas, 919 guesthouses, 17 hotels and 164 safari vessels.
The October figures indicate an improvement in monthly tourist arrivals, although the cumulative total for the first ten months of 2026 remains below the corresponding period last year.
