More than 1.5 million tourists have visited the Maldives this year, with visitors from China accounting for the largest share of total arrivals, according to official data published by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The overall milestone reflects sustained year-on-year expansion, with tourist numbers for the corresponding period last year registering 3.4 per cent lower. Monthly figures indicate a modest short-term dip, with more than 60,000 tourists entering during the first 14 days in September, a 1.3 per cent decline from the same window last year.
China maintained its status as the leading origin market, generating 278,605 visitors, ministry records show, topping Russia with 217,889 and the United Kingdom with 114,735. Italy and Germany rounded out the top five markets, contributing 95,164 and 92,284 tourists respectively. February registered the peak travel period, when monthly arrivals crested at 254,556.
Luxury resorts accommodated 1,091,228 guests, guesthouses hosted 328,203, hotels lodged 34,346, and liveaboard safari vessels accounted for 27,913. Air travel served as the primary conduit, carrying 1,497,595 international passengers. Velana International Airport handled 97.8 per cent of air traffic, receiving 1,480,394 travellers, data shows. Regional gateways facilitated the remainder, led by Gan International with 5,252 arrivals, Maafaru International with 4,791, Hanimaadhoo International with 3,171, Maamigili International with 2,783, and Dhaalu Airport with 1,203, while maritime seaports recorded 15,583 tourists.