Over 82,000 tourists welcomed so far in October

Maldives has welcomed over 82,000 tourists in the first half of October alone, signaling a strong surge in arrivals as the tropical paradise continues to captivate global travelers.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment through its latest daily tourist arrival statistics.

As such, the ministry’s statistics revealed that 82,770 tourists touched down at Velana International Airport (VIA) between October 1 – 14. This, is a 15.9 percent increase from the 71,388 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2024 and much higher than the 65,410 tourist arrivals recorded in 2023.

Looking at the daily arrivals for October:

• 6,659 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 1
• 6,662 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 2
• 6,195 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 3
• 6,188 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 4
• 6,908 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 5
• 5,187 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 6
• 5,000 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 7
• 5,077 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 8
• 5,201 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 9
• 5,912 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 10
• 6,307 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 11
• 6,756 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 12
• 5,312 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 13
• 5,406 tourist arrivals were recorded on October 14

The statistics go on to reveal that 1,719,259 tourists were welcomed between January 1 and October 14. This is a 10 percent increase in comparison to the 1,563,415 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and much higher than the 1,426,458 arrivals recorded in the same period of 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.
• 186,738 tourist arrivals were recorded between July 1 – 31.
• 192,058 tourist arrivals were recorded between August 1 – 31.
• 149,563 tourist arrivals were recorded between September 1 – 30.

The ministry went 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, 4,726 during June, 6,024 during July, 6,601 during August, and 4,985 during September. During October, 5,912 visitors are being recorded on a daily average, so far.

Maldives continues to cement its reputation as a premier luxury travel destination, with statistics revealing that 73.7 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, 1,266,590 visitors have opted for the luxury of resorts. 371,285 tourists make up 21.6 percent of the tourists who stayed at guesthouses, 44,434 tourists make up 2.6 percent of the tourists who stayed at hotels, 35,511 tourists make up 2.1 percent of the tourists who stayed at liveaboard vessels and 1,438 who stayed at other facilities during this period.

The ministry’s statistics go on to indicate that China has reaffirmed its dominant position in the island nation's key economic sector, remaining the leader in tourist arrivals to the Maldives with no signs of slowing down as the ninth month of the year nears ending.

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 now contributes 16.4 percent of the market share with 281,780 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 12.2 percent of the market share with 210,595 arrivals.

The United Kingdom comes third contributing 8.8 percent of the market share with 150,705 arrivals.

Other top tourist markets in 2025 include:

• Germany contributing 7.2 percent with 117,406 arrivals
• Italy contributing 6.7 percent with 115,686 arrivals
• India contributing 5.8 percent with 99,103 arrivals
• United States contributing 2.9 percent with 49,748 arrivals
• France contributing 2.6 percent with 44,286 arrivals
• Spain contributing 2.4 percent with 41,694 arrivals
• Australia contributing 1.9 percent with 32,843 arrivals

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, the Minister of Tourism and Environment 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 has been 53 years since the island paradise has been enchanting travelers from around the globe with its unrivaled hospitality and picturesque beauty.