The Maldives has welcomed over 1.5 million tourists so far this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.

Official statistics released on 7 September indicate that 1,520,699 tourists have visited the Maldives since January, reflecting a 9.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year when 1,386,554 arrivals were recorded. On average, the country is now welcoming over 6,000 tourists daily.

The Ministry, in a post on social media, confirmed that the Government is on track to meet its 2025 target of 2.3 million visitors. This follows a historic milestone in 2024, when arrivals exceeded 2 million for the first time.

Monthly data indicates steady growth throughout the year, with August alone recording 192,058 visitors, a 9 per cent increase year-on-year, and 33,773 arrivals registered in just the first week of September.

China has emerged as the Maldives’ largest source market in 2025, contributing 240,828 visitors to date. Russia follows with 182,315 arrivals, while the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany round out the top five with 136,619, 107,736, and 104,764 arrivals, respectively.

The Ministry noted that resorts remain the preferred choice of stay for the majority of travellers, while 21.9 per cent of visitors opt for guesthouses, with others choosing hotels and safari vessels. Officials highlighted that the continued rise in arrivals reflects global recognition of the Maldives, which has been voted the world’s leading destination for five consecutive years. With four months remaining in the year, the Maldives must attract an additional 800,000 tourists to achieve its 2025 target.