The Maldives celebrated a landmark achievement in 2024, recording a 9 per cent increase in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, 2,047,435 tourists visited the island nation, surpassing the 2023 total of 1,878,543 and marking the first time the Maldives welcomed over two million tourists in a single calendar year in 52 years of tourism.

The Government hit its target of two million tourists in December, setting several records along the way. February emerged as the month with the highest number of tourist arrivals, with 217,392 visitors. The country also recorded its busiest single day for arrivals during the year, further highlighting its growing appeal.

China, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy were the top source markets, with over 200,000 visitors arriving from China and Russia, and more than 100,000 from the UK, Germany, and Italy.

In 2025, the Government aims to build on this success by increasing tourist arrivals by 15 per cent and boosting tourism revenue to USD 5 billion.

Promotional activities will include innovative efforts such as the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation's (MMPRC) year-long global campaign, "The World's Biggest Giveaway," launched on January 1, 2025, offering 52 all-expenses-paid holidays to highlight the Maldives as a premier travel destination.

Additionally, with Maldivian introducing wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, the nation is poised to welcome an estimated 60,000 more tourists annually. With a flight range of up to 10 hours, the A330 also opens opportunities for direct connections to Europe, Africa, and Australia, boosting global accessibility and supporting the country's thriving tourism sector.