Male’, Maldives – The Maldives has recorded an impressive surge in tourism, with more than 50,000 visitors arriving in just one week, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
The latest weekly statistics reveal that 55,558 tourists landed in the archipelago over the past seven days, marking a five percent increase compared to last year’s 52,511 arrivals for the same period. Notably, the month of February is off to an exceptional start. On February 1 alone, a record-breaking 9,495 tourists set foot in the Maldives, surpassing the current daily average of 7,000 visitors.
Cumulatively, as of February 8, the Maldives welcomed a total of 279,916 tourists – an 11.2 percent rise from the 251,503 tourists recorded during the same period last year. The surge in numbers reinforces the Maldives’ reputation as a top global holiday destination.
China continues to lead as the primary source market, with over 50,000 Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives so far this year. Russia follows as the second largest contributor to the visitor count.
The latest data also highlights that approximately 69.7 percent of tourists have chosen to spend their holidays in luxury resorts, while 25.4 percent have opted for guesthouse accommodations.
This remarkable week of tourist arrivals adds to an already historic year for the Maldives. In 2024, the nation celebrated a record number of tourist arrivals, with over 2,047,435 visitors, marking a nine percent increase from the 1,878,543 tourists of 2023. It was the first time in the Maldives’ 52-year tourism history that the nation welcomed two million tourists in a single calendar year.
Looking ahead, the government aims to further boost tourism by targeting a 15 percent increase in arrivals this year compared to last, with an ambitious goal of raising tourism revenue to USD 5 billion. Officials are optimistic that sustained growth in visitor numbers will not only drive economic development but also solidify the Maldives’ status as a premier destination on the global stage.
