Statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism show that more than 200,000 tourists have spent their holidays in guesthouses in the Maldives so far this year, while total tourist arrivals have surpassed 800,000.
According to the latest figures published by the ministry, a total of 831,254 tourists visited the Maldives as of 6 May 2026. The figure includes 13,808 tourists who arrived through cruise tourism.
The guesthouse sector continues to record steady growth within the Maldivian tourism industry.
Data from the ministry show that 202,815 tourists chose to stay in guesthouses during the period, accounting for approximately 25 per cent of all tourist arrivals so far this year.
Breakdown of tourist accommodation figures released by the ministry are as follows:
- Resorts: 567,371 tourists
- Guesthouses: 202,815 tourists
- Hotels: 21,682 tourists
- Safaris: 18,225 tourists
China remains the Maldives’ largest tourism source market this year, contributing 15.5 per cent of total arrivals.
The top five source markets recorded so far this year are:
- China: 125,682 tourists
- Russia: 107,368 tourists
- United Kingdom: 73,493 tourists
- Italy: 66,333 tourists
- Germany: 54,483 tourists
The ministry also noted that 817,446 tourists, equivalent to 97.1 per cent of total arrivals, travelled to the Maldives by air.
Although tourist arrival figures experienced a temporary decline due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the ministry stated that numbers are gradually recovering.
On 1 May alone, the Maldives recorded 6,611 tourist arrivals.