Tourist arrivals from China and Russia have increased significantly this year, with both markets maintaining their positions as the Maldives' two largest source markets.

Figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation show that 1,173,922 tourists visited the Maldives as of 18 July. While total arrivals were 4.7 per cent lower than the same period last year, both the Chinese and Russian markets recorded strong year-on-year growth.

China remained the Maldives' largest tourism market, with 195,363 arrivals, an increase of 14.7 per cent from 170,210 recorded during the same period in 2025. Russia ranked second, with 167,314 tourist arrivals, up 17 per cent from 142,899 last year.

The majority of visitors stayed at resorts, which accommodated 834,816 tourists. A further 262,171 tourists stayed in guesthouses, while 27,523 stayed in hotels and 22,381 chose liveaboard safari vessels.

The ministry's figures also show that Velana International Airport handled 1,144,392 tourist arrivals, while Gan International Airport received 4,355 visitors during the period.

On average, the Maldives welcomed more than 5,899 tourists per day as of 18 July.