An Overview of the Maldives Tourism Industry in 2025

The year 2025 was a landmark one for Maldivian tourism, with soaring demand from key source markets driving record-breaking visitor numbers and revenue. The Maldives welcomed a total of 2,246,516 international visitors, setting the highest-ever annual arrivals in the country’s history, a 9.8% increase compared to the previous year.

December alone made headlines, with 224,455 tourists arriving, surpassing the previous monthly record of 217,392 set in February 2024. This milestone highlights not just the popularity of the Maldives, but also the impact of expanded air connectivity, new resort openings, and strong loyalty from established markets, all fueling the nation’s sustained growth as a world-class travel destination.

Market Share

China, Russia, and the UK continue to lead as the Maldives’ key source markets, with total arrivals surpassing 2.22 million. Strong connectivity, repeat travelers, and high-value leisure demand from these markets continue to drive occupancy, support premium pricing, and strengthen the Maldives’ upscale tourism positioning. Other significant markets contributing to growth include Germany, Italy, India, the USA, France, Spain, and Switzerland, highlighting the country’s broad international appeal.

Airline Statistics

The launch of Velana International Airport’s new passenger terminal marked a major milestone for the Maldives’ aviation sector in 2025, enhancing capacity, efficiency, and the passenger experience. All international scheduled and charter airlines transitioned operations to the new terminal, supporting continued tourism growth. During the year, 48 scheduled and charter airlines operated at Velana International Airport, including 41 scheduled carriers and seven charter operators. Major airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Saudia, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, Air India, and IndiGo anchored global connectivity, strengthening the Maldives’ position as a highly accessible luxury destination.

Tourist Accommodation

Barceló Nasandhura Male’

As of 2025, the Maldives features 178 operational resorts with a total of 44,697 beds. In addition, 16 hotels and 973 guesthouses offer 2,598 and 16,824 beds, respectively, while 168 safari vessels provide a further 3,356 beds, reflecting the Maldives’ diverse accommodation offerings.

Resorts continue to lead the Maldives’ hospitality sector, accounting for 66% of all operational beds. With a total of 1,335 accommodations, the number of beds increased from 61,739 in 2024 to 67,475 in 2025, driven by new resort openings and the steady rise of guesthouses. This expansion reflects the Maldives’ increasing capacity to accommodate a growing and diverse tourist base, with daily arrivals averaging over 7,240 guests in December 2025.

Awards and Accolades

The Maldives’ strong performance in 2025 was mirrored by global accolades at the World Travel Awards. The country retained World’s Leading Destination for the sixth year and World’s Leading Green Destination for the second year, while Trans Maldivian Airways earned both World’s Leading and Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator awards. The Maldives also secured Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination 2025, elevating the Maldives’ position as a leading global tourism destination.

Economic Impact

Sun Siyam Olhuveli

On an annual basis, 2025 became the strongest tourism year in Maldivian history. Total travel receipts are projected to exceed USD 5.4 billion, comfortably surpassing the national target of USD 5 billion. This growth has been driven by healthy occupancy levels, strong average daily rates, and longer lengths of stay, particularly within the luxury and ultra-luxury resort segments.

New Resorts and Luxury Developments

Nala Maldives by Jawakara

The hospitality pipeline reflects this growth, with notable new openings including NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, Nala Maldives by Jawakara, .Here Baa Atoll, The Halcyon Private Isles and Meyyafushi Maldives.

The Maldives’ hospitality scene is entering an exciting new phase, with high-profile openings such as RAH GILI Maldives, V Villas Maldives at Mirihi, Vaagali Maldives by Vignette Collection, Trump International Hotel Maldives, and Atlantis The Royal, Maldives. These resorts highlight a shift toward more diversified, experiential luxury, blending innovative design with wellness, bespoke dining, and immersive marine and cultural experiences, strengthening the Maldives’ global appeal as a forward-thinking luxury destination.

Strategic Initiatives and Future Goals

Villa Park

The opening of Velana International Airport’s new terminal marks a significant step in the Maldives’ tourism development, demonstrating the impact of modern infrastructure on growth and connectivity. With an annual capacity of 7.5 million passengers, the terminal significantly enhances the Maldives’ ability to handle rising visitor volumes while improving passenger flow and overall travel experience. From 1 January onwards, all international airline operations were fully transitioned to the new terminal, highlighting a transformative step forward for the Maldives’ aviation and tourism development.

Looking forward, stakeholders can anticipate sustained expansion, with future growth supported by strategic infrastructure investments, innovative resort concepts, and continued enhancement of guest experiences. The Maldives’ performance in 2025 underscores its position as a resilient, high-value market in the global luxury tourism landscape.

Feature Photo: Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort