The Maldives’ vital tourism sector continues its impressive growth trajectory, with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment confirming a significant increase in international arrivals for October.
The globally renowned destination recorded over 190,000 visitors during the month, contributing to a year-to-date total exceeding 1.8 million, official statistics show.
According to data released by the Ministry, 190,445 tourists arrived in the archipelago in October this year. This figure represents a robust 10.2 percent increase compared to the 172,621 arrivals recorded during the same month last year, reflecting strong seasonal demand.
The continued monthly success has helped solidify the overall annual performance. So far this year, the Maldives has welcomed 1.8 million tourists, marking a 9.8 percent increase over the previous year's total for the same period.
Analysis of the top source markets reveals shifting dynamics in global travel. China has cemented its position as the leading contributor, with 295,537 tourists visiting the nation year-to-date. Russia remains the second-largest market (223,857), followed by the United Kingdom(159,615), Germany (132,394), and Italy (119,261), underscoring the destination’s strong appeal across European and Asian markets.
In terms of local industry utilisation, resort stays remain the dominant choice, accounting for 73.8 percent of all tourist holidays recorded this year. Guesthouses secured the second-largest share of accommodation preferences, hosting 21.4 percent of travelers. The Maldives currently operates 1,286 registered tourist facilities nationwide, which collectively offer a total bed capacity of 64,994.