Maldives tourist arrivals top 1.64 million, still below last year

The Maldives welcomed 1,642,478 international tourists by 7 October 2026, according to figures from the country's Ministry of Tourism and Environment. China remained the largest source market with 311,485 visitors. Russia followed with 234,718, and the United Kingdom recorded 122,067 arrivals.

Cumulative arrivals are running about 3.9% below the same period of 2025. September brought 150,764 visitors, a slight dip of 0.2% against September 2025. The government is aiming for 2.5 million arrivals in 2026, after a record 2,246,516 in 2025.

As of 7 October 2026, the islands had 1,293 registered places for tourists to stay, together offering 68,733 beds, and almost all of that space was in service. Resorts hold the largest share, with 180 properties providing 45,171 beds, while 927 guesthouses account for 16,822 beds.

What it means for travellers from India

• Arrival volumes are slightly below last year, but daily arrivals still averaged about 5,872 outside the winter peak, so the destination continues to draw steady international traffic.
• Guesthouses on inhabited islands are becoming a larger part of the market, adding options beyond private-island resorts, along with hotels and safari vessels.
• Average visitor stays have ranged between roughly six and eight days in recent years, which may help when planning the length of a trip.