The Maldives posts its strongest tourism performance on record in 2025, driven by a surge in visitor arrivals and rising travel receipts. December sets a new monthly high with 224,455 tourists, surpassing the previous record of 217,392 arrivals in February 2024.
The Ministry of Tourism said 2.25 million tourists visited the Maldives in 2025. Tourist arrivals in 2025 increased by 9.8 percent compared with the previous year. Of the 2.25 million tourists who arrived in 2025, around 1.6 million, or 73 percent, stayed at resorts. About 500,000 tourists, or 22 percent, stayed in guesthouses, while more than 58,000 stayed in hotels.
Tourism receipts are projected to exceed USD 5.4 billion, beating the national target of USD 5 billion, while arrivals for the year grow by about 9.8%. Official data from the Maldives Monetary Authority shows tourism receipts rise 15.8% year on year compared with 2024, underlining the sector’s resilience despite wider economic uncertainty.
Record-breaking demand caps a strong year
Momentum peaks at the end of the year, with the strongest daily performance recorded on 28 December, when 9,903 visitors arrive in a single day. The spike reflects robust holiday demand and sustained interest from key international source markets.
Industry data also points to growth in bed nights alongside rising arrivals, signalling longer stays and steady occupancy across resorts and guesthouses. The combination of higher visitor volumes and stronger spending reinforces the Maldives’ position as one of the world’s leading long-haul leisure destinations.
More rooms, broader capacity and long-term growth
Accommodation capacity expands during the year with the opening of new resorts and guesthouses, adding inventory to meet rising demand. The broader bed base strengthens the country’s tourism portfolio and supports long-term growth as airlines and tour operators scale up services.
With consistent year-end momentum, higher receipts and expanding infrastructure, the Maldives enters the new travel cycle with strong forward confidence. Operators expect continued interest from premium leisure travelers seeking beach holidays, overwater villas and warm-weather escapes during peak seasons.
