Chinese arrivals to the Maldives have, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, surpassed the 100,000-visitor mark this year, establishing China as the first nation to reach this milestone in the current period. By 7 April, exactly 100,185 Chinese tourists had travelled to the destination, a volume representing 15 per cent of the 684,908 international visitors welcomed by the island nation to date.
The dominance of the Chinese market leads a competitive field of source nations, government data show. Russia remains a primary contributor with 84,739 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom with 65,105. Italy and Germany have also maintained a strong presence, contributing 59,396 and 46,245 tourists, respectively.
Velana International Airport served as the gateway for the vast majority of these travellers, processing 666,691 arrivals. Regional infrastructure provided essential support for the influx, with Gan International Airport receiving 2,813 tourists and Maafaru International Airport handling 2,620.
A clear preference for the luxury sector defined the choices of these visitors, the ministry reported, with more than 400,000 guests electing to spend their holidays at resorts. Guesthouses hosted upwards of 100,000 arrivals, while traditional hotels accommodated more than 18,000 guests. This diverse array of stays is supported by 1,298 distinct facilities currently in operation, providing a collective capacity that exceeds 67,000 beds across the country.