The Maldives has recorded 144,173 tourist arrivals from China to date, a 17.5 percent increase over the same period last year, when the figure stood at 122,608, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
The recovery places China at the forefront of the Maldives’ tourism landscape, a position it last held before dropping to third in 2023. As the first country to exceed 100,000 arrivals this year, it has once again solidified its role as a key driver of inbound travel. Nationwide, overall arrivals have reached 1,119,182 so far in 2025, an increase of 9.2 percent compared with the 1,025,296 tourists recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Among other leading contributors, Russia has reported 128,431 arrivals, while the United Kingdom registered 109,132, placing both firmly among the top three source markets. Italy followed with 87,215 visitors, and Germany recorded 82,676, completing the list of the five largest international segments.
Visitor accommodation trends continue to reflect established preferences, with resorts maintaining their dominant position by accounting for 72.4 percent of all stays. Guesthouses attracted 22.5 percent of visitors, while hotels represented a smaller fraction at 2.2 percent.
To meet an annual target of 2.3 million arrivals, the government is banking on infrastructure improvements to accelerate growth. The opening of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), slated for 26 July, is expected to expand capacity and streamline operations, strengthening the sector’s ability to absorb rising demand.