Maldives welcomed 218,650 tourists in December 2025, a 7.7 percent increase from 2024, bringing the annual total to 2.24 million visitors. China led with 14.7 percent market share, followed by Russia and the UK, while 73.4 percent of tourists chose luxury resorts over other accommodation options.
Aerial view of Cheval Blanc Randheli shows a stretch of white sand beach bordered by palm trees and turquoise lagoon waters, with overwater villas visible in the background. Tourists walk hand-in-hand along the shoreline during the peak tourist season in the Maldives.
The Maldives has recorded a surge in visitor numbers during the peak travel season, with more than 200,000 tourists arriving in the island nation by the end of December 2025.
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 218,650 tourists touched down at Velana International Airport (VIA) between December 1 and 31. This, is a 7.7 percent increase from the 203,071 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2024 and much higher than the 188,798 tourist arrivals recorded in 2023.
The statistics go on to reveal that 2,240,711 tourists were welcomed between January 1 and December 31. This is a 9.8 percent increase in comparison to the 2,040,706 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and much higher than the 1,872,645 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2023.
Maldives continues to cement its reputation as a premier luxury travel destination, with statistics revealing that 73.4 percent of visitors opt for stays at the nation’s upscale resorts.
By Thursday, 1,644,644 visitors had opted for the luxury of resorts. 488,673 tourists made up 21.8 percent of the tourists who stayed at guesthouses, 58,375 tourists made up 2.6 percent of the tourists who stayed at hotels, 47,031 tourists made up 2.1 percent of the tourists who stayed at liveaboard vessels and 1,988 who stayed at other facilities during this period.
The ministry’s statistics go on to indicate that China 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 2025 ended.
China contributed 14.7 percent of the market share with 329,286 arrivals by the end of the year.
Russia sat at second place on the list contributing 12.4 percent of the market share with 277,391 arrivals.
The United Kingdom came third contributing nine percent of the market share with 201,797 arrivals.
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.
