The Maldives has welcomed nearly 1.5 million tourists this year, placing the island nation on track to meet its ambitious target of 2.3 million arrivals by the close of 2025. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment’s latest Tourism Update, 1,496,563 international visitors had entered the country as of 2 September.
Achieving the remaining goal will require an additional 803,437 arrivals over the final 120 days of the year. That translates to a daily average of 6,695 tourists, a figure government officials believe is within reach. The coming months mark the high season for the Maldives, a period historically associated with elevated travel demand and increased international traffic.
Tourism from China has played a pivotal role in driving this year’s numbers. With 236,654 arrivals, China leads all source markets. Russia follows with 178,958 visitors, while the United Kingdom ranks third at 134,676. Italy and Germany complete the top five, contributing 107,013 and 103,342 tourists respectively.
Expectations for continued growth extend beyond the current year. The Maldives Monetary Authority has projected 2.4 million tourist arrivals for 2024, citing infrastructure improvements as a key factor. Among the most significant developments is the opening of a new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport, which is anticipated to expand capacity and streamline international arrivals.