June’s tourist arrival figure surpasses 76,000-mark

The tourist arrival figure recorded so far in June has surpassed the 76,000-mark.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism through its latest daily tourist arrival statistics published on Tuesday.

As such, the ministry’s statistics show that between June 1 – 16, 76,724 tourists were welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA). This is a 19.7 percent increase from the 64,117 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2024 and higher than the 59,207 arrivals recorded the previous year.

Looking at the daily arrivals for June 2025:

• 4,487 tourists were welcomed on June 1
• 4,753 tourists were welcomed on June 2
• 4,360 tourists were welcomed on June 3
• 5,017 tourists were welcomed on June 4
• 5,427 tourists were welcomed on June 5
• 5,706 tourists were welcomed on June 6
• 5,475 tourists were welcomed on June 7
• 5,381 tourists were welcomed on June 8
• 5,008 tourists were welcomed on June 9
• 4,405 tourists were welcomed on June 10
• 4,903 tourists were welcomed on June 11
• 4,497 tourists were welcomed on June 12
• 4,199 tourists were welcomed on June 13
• 4,029 tourists were welcomed on June 14
• 4,705 tourists were welcomed on June 15
• 4,372 tourists were welcomed on June 16

Further, between January 1 and June 16, 1,043,082 tourists arrived in the Maldives. This is a 9.1 percent surge in comparison to the 956,360 arrivals recorded in 2024 and much higher than the 868,451 arrivals recorded in 2023.

Maldives welcomed the one millionth tourist of the year on June 7. Kajal Singh arrived in the Maldives to spend her honeymoon at Malahini Kuda Bandos, and this was her first visit to the Maldives. The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) announced that this marked the fastest time in the nation's history that tourist arrivals reached the one-million mark within a calendar year. To commemorate the milestone, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim attended a special ceremony at Velana International Airport (VIA) to personally welcome the milestone visitor.

During the ceremony, which emphasized the Maldives' commitment to sustainable tourism, the one millionth tourist of 2025 was invited to plant a tree. Embracing the gesture, the visitor took part in a symbolic tree-planting at Hulhule, underscoring the nation's ongoing environmental initiatives.

On a monthly basis:

• 214,863 tourist arrivals were recorded between January 1 – 31.
• 214,091 tourist arrivals were recorded between February 1 – 28.
• 203,464 tourist arrivals were recorded between March 1 – 31.
• 198,322 tourist arrivals were recorded between April 1 – 30.
• 135,614 tourist arrivals were recorded between May 1 – 31.

The statistics go on to reveal that about 6,931 tourists arrived on average every day during January, 7,646 in February, 6,563 in March, 6,611 tourists arrived on average during April and 4,375 tourists arrived on average during May. About 4,795 tourists are arriving on average every day during June.

The Maldives continues to cement its reputation as a premier luxury travel destination, with statistics revealing that 72 percent of visitors opt for stays at the nation’s upscale resorts. This trend underscores the enduring appeal of the island nation’s exclusive accommodations and pristine surroundings among global travelers.

So far, 750,649 visitors have opted for the luxury of resorts. 237,708 tourists make up 22.8 percent of the tourists who stayed at guesthouses, 29,386 tourists make up 2.8 percent of the tourists who stayed at hotels, 24,527 tourists make up 2.4 percent of the tourists who stayed at liveaboard vessels and 812 who stayed at other facilities during this period.

Statistics go on to reveal that China has remained the leader in tourist arrivals to the Maldives with no signs of slowing down, dominating the top source markets by the end of the fifth month of the year.

As such, the ministry’s statistics revealed that although Russia topped the tourist source markets into the third week of January, it was replaced by China into the last week of January.

China has topped the leading source of tourists since then. China contributes 12.1 percent of the market share with 126,603 arrivals.

China sat at the top of the list of tourist source markets by the end of 2024 as well.

Russia sits at second place on the list contributing 11.2 percent of the market share with 117,274 arrivals recorded by Tuesday.

The United Kingdom comes third contributing 10 percent of the market share with 103,873 arrivals.

Other top tourist markets in 2025 include:

• Italy contributing 8.1 percent with 84,309 arrivals
• Germany contributing 7.6 percent with 79,374 arrivals
• India contributing 5.9 percent with 61,711 arrivals
• France contributing 3.4 percent with 34,989 arrivals
• United States contributing 3.1 percent with 32,632 arrivals
• Switzerland contributing 2.1 percent with 22,406 arrivals
• Australia contributing 1.8 percent with 19,240 arrivals

Maldives welcomed 2,046,615 visitors in 2024. In 2023, 1,878,543 tourist arrivals were recorded.

A true jewel of the Indian Ocean, Maldives has been dazzling among passionate travelers since tourism was introduced in the island nation in 1972. It is going to be 53 years since the island paradise has been enchanting travelers from around the globe with its unrivaled hospitality and picturesque beauty.