Maldives Welcomes Over 1.8 Million Tourists

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives have exceeded 1.8 million this year, marking a steady progression towards the country’s most ambitious tourism target to date.

Government data from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment shows that as of 27 October, the Maldives had recorded 1,804,515 international arrivals, representing a 9.9 percent increase compared with the same period last year, when 1,641,937 visitors were registered. The figure makes 2024 the highest year on record for inbound tourism to the country.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The government has set a year-end target of 2.3 million arrivals, meaning around 500,000 more visitors are needed in the remaining months. With the current average daily arrival rate exceeding 6,200, officials remain cautiously optimistic about meeting this goal.

Achieving the target will rely on both continued demand and the capacity of the tourism sector. Currently, 1,286 facilities are operational nationwide, offering a combined bed capacity of 64,994.

Accommodation preferences continue to favour resort stays, which have hosted 1,332,533 guests so far. Guesthouses remain the second most popular option, accommodating 386,692 visitors.

Visitor origin data highlights both market diversification and sustained strength in key countries. China leads with 291,573 arrivals, followed by Russia (223,857), the United Kingdom (159,615), Germany (132,394), and Italy (119,261).

The steady growth underscores the Maldives’ position as a leading international travel destination while highlighting the continued importance of balancing demand with sector capacity.