Tourist arrivals in July 2025 up 13.2 percent compared to same period last year

The tourist arrival figure recorded so far in July 2025 is an increase of 13.2 percent in comparison to the same period of 2024.

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

As such, statistics reveal that between July 1 – 23, 136,394 tourists were welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA). This is a 13.2 percent increase from the 120,519 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2024 and higher than the 107,439 arrivals recorded the previous year.

Looking at the daily arrivals for July 2025:

• 5,219 tourists were welcomed on July 1
• 5,833 tourists were welcomed on July 2
• 5,618 tourists were welcomed on July 3
• 5,627 tourists were welcomed on July 4
• 6,057 tourists were welcomed on July 5
• 5,504 tourists were welcomed on July 6
• 6,213 tourists were welcomed on July 7
• 5,745 tourists were welcomed on July 8
• 6,136 tourists were welcomed on July 9
• 5,707 tourists were welcomed on July 10
• 6,034 tourists were welcomed on July 11
• 6,570 tourists were welcomed on July 12
• 6,007 tourists were welcomed on July 13
• 5,664 tourists were welcomed on July 14
• 5,629 tourists were welcomed on July 15
• 6,569 tourists were welcomed on July 16
• 5,891 tourists were welcomed on July 17
• 5,737 tourists were welcomed on July 18
• 6,227 tourists were welcomed on July 19
• 6,205 tourists were welcomed on July 20
• 6,081 tourists were welcomed on July 21
• 5,949 tourists were welcomed on July 22

The ministry went on to reveal that between January 1 and July 23, 1,244,524 tourists arrived in the Maldives. This is a 9.5 percent surge in comparison to the 1,136,048 arrivals recorded in 2024 and much higher than the 1,037,046 arrivals recorded in 2023.

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.
• 141,772 tourist arrivals were recorded between June 1 – 30.

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 during April, 4,375 during May and 4,726 during June. So far in July, 5,930 tourists are arriving on average on a daily basis.

The Maldives continues to cement its reputation as a premier luxury travel destination, with statistics revealing that 73 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, 908,158 visitors have opted for the luxury of resorts. 275,414 tourists make up 22.1 percent of the tourists who stayed at guesthouses, 33,673 tourists make up 2.7 percent of the tourists who stayed at hotels, 26,405 tourists make up 2.1 percent of the tourists who stayed at liveaboard vessels and 872 who stayed at other facilities during this period.

Further, the statistics go on to reveal that China has extended its reign as the top contributor to tourist arrivals in the Maldives, reaffirming its dominant position in the island nation's key economic sector. China has remained the leader in tourist arrivals to the Maldives with no signs of slowing down, dominating the top source markets as the seventh month of the year inches closer to ending.

The tourism 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 14.2 percent of the market share with 176,238 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 11.8 percent of the market share with 146,500 arrivals recorded by Friday.

The United Kingdom comes third contributing 9.5 percent of the market share with 117,955 arrivals.

Other top tourist markets in 2025 include:

• Italy contributing 7.3 percent with 91,379 arrivals
• Germany contributing 7.2 percent with 89,177 arrivals
• India contributing 5.9 percent with 73,456 arrivals
• United States contributing 3.1 percent with 38,572 arrivals
• France contributing three percent with 36,869 arrivals
• Switzerland contributing two percent with 24,890 arrivals
• Spain contributing 1.9 percent with 24,203 arrivals

Although Australia was included among the top ten tourist source markets, it was replaced by Spain by mid-July.

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. Visit Maldives 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 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 Hulhulé, underscoring the nation's ongoing environmental initiatives.

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.