70% of Visitors Choose Resort-Only Stays, Maldives Visitor Survey Finds

Resorts continue to dominate the Maldives tourism landscape, with 70 percent of visitors choosing to stay exclusively at resorts, according to the Maldives Visitor Survey 2025.

The report, published by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, found that an additional 4 percent of visitors opted for a combination of resort and local hotel or guesthouse stays during their trips.

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The survey showed that Maldives tourism is largely driven by millennial travellers, with 47 percent of visitors aged between 29 and 44. Gen X travellers accounted for 24 percent, while Gen Z and Baby Boomers represented 20 percent and 8 percent respectively.

The visitor profile remained close to gender balanced, with 52 percent male and 47 percent female travellers. The survey also found that nearly six in 10 visitors belong to higher disposable income groups, including professionals (32 percent) and business owners or managers (26 percent).

The largest source markets were the United Kingdom (12 percent), followed by China and Russia (9 percent each), India (8 percent) and Germany (8 percent).

The survey found that the Maldives continues to hold strong appeal as a standalone holiday destination, with 78 percent of visitors saying the country was their first-choice destination. Meanwhile, 69 percent travelled only to the Maldives rather than combining their visit with other destinations.

Visitors were mainly attracted by the country’s natural environment and relaxation opportunities, with beaches (63 percent), marine life and underwater experiences (56 percent) and peaceful surroundings (41 percent) listed among the top motivations.

Accommodation bookings remained largely dependent on international intermediaries, with 65 percent of resort guests booking through travel agencies or tour operators, while 18 percent booked directly with resorts.

The survey also showed a preference for prepaid dining options, with 44 percent of visitors choosing all-inclusive packages and 20 percent selecting full-board arrangements.

Visitor satisfaction remained high, with 93 percent of respondents rating their experience between eight and 10 out of 10. More than half (57 percent) gave the Maldives a perfect 10 rating, while 42 percent said their experience exceeded expectations.

The survey found strong potential for repeat tourism, with 70 percent of visitors saying they were extremely likely to recommend the Maldives to others, while 60 percent expressed the highest intention to return in the future.

The majority of visitors also reported a smooth travel experience, with 83 percent saying they faced no challenges during their journey or stay. The most common disruptions reported were weather-related issues (5 percent) and flight connection delays (4 percent).