Maldives kicks off 2026 with a tourism boom: over 43,000 visitors in just one week!
Maldives recorded 43,481 tourist arrivals between January 1-7, 2026, marking a 14.6 percent increase from the same period in 2025. Russia emerged as the leading source market with 21 percent of arrivals, followed by Italy and the UK. The statistics show 69 percent of visitors chose luxury resort stays, with 179 resorts currently operational offering 44,807 beds across the archipelago.
Passengers from Aeroflot's inaugural flight at Terminal 1 of VIA receive warm welcome | MACL
The Maldives has entered 2026 with unstoppable momentum, as soaring visitor numbers point to renewed confidence and a booming tourism sector.
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 between January 1 – 7, a total of 43,481 tourists touched down at Velana International Airport (VIA). This, is a 14.6 percent increase from the 37,928 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2025 and much higher than the 33,809 tourist arrivals recorded in 2024.
Out of the 67,641 tourist beds in operation as of January 6, 66 percent were located in resorts, 25 percent in guesthouses, five percent in safari vessels, and four percent in hotels.
Of the total capacity of 180 resorts and marinas spread across the archipelago nation, 179 are currently operational, offering 44,807 beds. Further, 16 hotels are in operation across the Maldives with 2,598 beds, alongside 973 guesthouses providing 16,842 beds, and 168 safari vessels offering a combined total of 3,394 beds.
The Maldives continues to cement its reputation as a premier luxury travel destination, with statistics revealing that 69 percent of visitors opt to stay 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. As of Wednesday, 29,982 visitors had chosen the luxury of resort stays. Meanwhile, 11,166 tourists, accounting for 25.7 percent of total arrivals, stayed at guesthouses, while 1,364 tourists, representing 3.1 percent, opted for hotels. A further 932 tourists, making up 2.1 percent, stayed aboard liveaboard vessels, and 36 visitors chose other accommodation facilities during this period.
Tourist arrivals during the period were overwhelmingly concentrated at Velana International Airport (VIA), which handled 42,828 arrivals, accounting for 98.5 percent of total inbound travelers as of January 6. Other international and domestic gateways recorded significantly smaller volumes, with Maafaru International Airport receiving 200 arrivals accounting for 0.5 percent, Gan International Airport welcoming 165 arrivals accounting for 0.4 percent, and Hanimaadhoo International Airport recording 118 arrivals accounting for 0.3 percent. Dhaalu Airport and Villa International Airport in Maamigili registered 69 and 102 arrivals respectively, each contributing around 0.2 percent to the overall share. This highlights VIA’s continued role as the primary gateway for international travel to the Maldives, while also underscoring the need to enhance services and facilities at other airports nationwide to attract a greater share of visitors.
The ministry’s statistics further indicate a notable shift in source markets at the start of 2026, with Russia emerging as the leading contributor to tourist arrivals, despite China having closed 2025 in the top position. As of January 6, Russia ranks first among source markets, accounting for 21 percent of total arrivals with 9,137 visitors. Italy follows in second place, contributing 16.2 percent of the market share with 7,047 arrivals, while the United Kingdom ranks third, representing 6.6 percent with 2,859 visitors. Germany places fourth with 2,411 arrivals, accounting for 5.5 percent, followed by the United States at 3.4 percent with 1,480 arrivals. China currently stands sixth, contributing 2.9 percent with 1,242 visitors, while India accounts for 2.7 percent with 1,184 arrivals. Kazakhstan, Romania, and Poland complete the top ten source markets, contributing 2.5 percent with 1,096 arrivals, 2.4 percent with 1,039 arrivals, and 2.2 percent with 951 arrivals respectively, underscoring the Maldives’ continued appeal across a diverse range of international markets.
Capping off a period of sustained growth, the Maldives recorded a total of 2,246,516 tourist arrivals in 2025, building on the strong performance of 2,046,615 visitors in 2024 and 1,878,543 arrivals in 2023. These steadily rising figures reflect the destination’s resilience and its continued ability to attract travelers from across the world.
Renowned as one of the Indian Ocean’s most iconic destinations, the Maldives has captivated global audiences since tourism was formally introduced in 1972. More than five decades on, the island nation continues to uphold its legacy of world-class hospitality, breathtaking natural beauty, and exclusive experiences, reaffirming its position as a timeless paradise that remains firmly at the forefront of international travel.
