Indian travellers changing the Maldives, Marriott says

The Maldives has long been sold to Indian travellers as a honeymoon spot, but Marriott Hotels says that is changing. The group sees a chance to bring the same guests back for short family getaways, birthdays and long weekends.

After the Middle East crisis began in March, arrivals fell as visitors from Europe and America who connect through Gulf hubs stayed away. Marriott says the numbers have nearly recovered, though from a different range of source markets, with India helping to make up the shortfall. Silvio Rosenberger, the company's market vice president for the Maldives, said India is among the destination's top 10 sources and moving up. Indian arrivals were sixth at 112,229 in 2025, and had reached 76,000 by August this year, as reported on 15 Oct 2026.

The kind of Indian guest is also different now. Instead of mainly honeymooners, Marriott is seeing more families and groups across three generations arriving for birthdays, reunions and Diwali. In response, the group is adding villas with two and three bedrooms, upgrading resorts, and teaching island kitchens to cook Jain food. Travellers are booking on much shorter notice, sometimes calling the next day rather than months ahead, and trips are usually brief.

What it means for travellers from India

• Marriott is adding villas with two and three bedrooms, giving larger family or multigenerational groups more room choices.
• Some island kitchens are being trained to serve Jain food, which may suit guests with particular dietary needs.
• Direct flights between India and the Maldives run at roughly 50 a week, and Marriott notes air capacity and visa access shape where Indians choose to go.
• Trips are often short, around two nights for couples and a day or two more for families, fitting quick breaks and long weekends.