Close to 100,000 arrivals recorded by the second week of January
Maldives recorded 99,350 tourist arrivals between January 1-14, marking a 9.6 percent increase from the previous year. Russia emerged as the leading source market with 17 percent of arrivals, followed by Italy and the UK. Nearly 70 percent of visitors chose luxury resort stays, with VIA handling 98.7 percent of all arrivals.
Tourists queue at the new seaplane check-in area | MACL
Maldives has kicked off the year with a strong surge in the tourism sector, recording close to 100,000 visitor arrivals by the second week of January alone.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment through its latest weekly tourist arrival statistics.
As such, the ministry’s statistics revealed that between January 1 – 14, a total of 99,350 tourists touched down at Velana International Airport (VIA). This, is a 9.6 percent increase from the 90,659 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2025 and much higher than the 83,966 tourist arrivals recorded in 2024.
The ministry went on to reveal that about 7,096 tourists are arriving on average every day during January.
Out of the 68,873 tourist beds in operation as of January 14, 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 186 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 976 guesthouses providing 16,898 beds, and 170 safari vessels offering a combined total of 3,411 beds.
The Maldives continues to cement its reputation as a premier luxury travel destination, with statistics revealing that 69.3 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, 68,881 visitors had chosen the luxury of resort stays. Meanwhile, 25,407 tourists, accounting for 25.6 percent of total arrivals, stayed at guesthouses, while 2,874 tourists, representing 2.9 percent, opted for hotels. A further 2,099 tourists, making up 2.1 percent, stayed aboard liveaboard vessels, and 84 visitors chose other accommodation facilities during this period.
Tourist arrivals during the period were overwhelmingly concentrated at Velana International Airport (VIA), which handled 98,012 arrivals, accounting for 98.7 percent of total inbound travelers as of January 14. Other international and domestic gateways recorded significantly smaller volumes, with Maafaru International Airport receiving 373 arrivals accounting for 0.4 percent, Gan International Airport welcoming 321 arrivals accounting for 0.3 percent, and Hanimaadhoo International Airport recording 306 arrivals accounting for 0.3 percent. Dhaalu Airport registered 130 arrivals contributing 0.1 percent, and Villa International Airport in Maamigili registered 208 arrivals 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 15, Russia ranks first among source markets, accounting for 17 percent of total arrivals with 16,868 visitors. Italy follows in second place, contributing 12.1 percent of the market share with 11,987 arrivals, while the United Kingdom ranks third, representing 8.2 percent with 8,159 visitors. Germany places fourth with 6,245 arrivals, accounting for 6.3 percent, followed by China at 5.4 percent with 5,404 arrivals.
India currently stands sixth, contributing 3.5 percent with 3,496 visitors, while the U.S. accounts for 3.1 percent with 3,070 arrivals. Further, France contributes 2.9 percent with 2,876 arrivals, Kazakhstan contributes 2.4 percent with 2,335 arrivals and Australia trails close at the 10th spot contributing 2.3 percent with 2,295 arrivals recorded by Wednesday. This underscores the Maldives’ continued appeal across a diverse range of international markets.
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.
