Russia Leads Maldives Tourism Boom

The Maldives opened the new year with a surge in visitors, recording 224,788 tourist arrivals in January, according to fresh data from the Ministry of Tourism. The figure marks a 4.6% increase compared with the same month last year, underscoring the country’s continued appeal as a global luxury destination.

Russia emerged once again as the largest source market, sending 29,370 visitors in January — more than any other country. The strong showing places Russia firmly at the forefront of the Maldives’ tourism recovery, ahead of Italy, China, the United Kingdom and Germany.

Tourism officials say Russian travellers have remained remarkably consistent, helping stabilize visitor numbers during seasonal shifts and global market fluctuations.

Top 10 Source Markets – January

• Russia – 29,370
• Italy – 23,171
• China – 22,676
• United Kingdom – 20,478
• Germany – 14,028
• India – 8,413
• France – 7,751
• United States – 6,353
• Poland – 6,041
• Kazakhstan – 4,585

Together, these markets accounted for 63% of all arrivals.
Most travellers — 221,994 — entered through Velana International Airport, the country’s main gateway. Other airports also contributed:

• Maafaru – 786
• Gan – 709
• Hanimaadhoo – 631
• Maamigili – 411

The Maldives’ diverse accommodation sector saw strong occupancy:

• Resorts: 153,824 visitors
• Guesthouses: 59,813
• Hotels: 6,008
• Safari vessels: 4,942
• Other facilities: 201

The country currently offers 179 resorts, 901 guesthouses, 174 safari vessels, and 16 hotels.
The ministry reported that over 200,000 tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year. From the top ten markets alone, 126,948 arrivals were recorded.

Year‑to‑Date Market Share

• Russia – 26,965 (13.4%)
• Italy – 21,137 (10.5%)
• China – 18,531 (9.2%)
• UK – 18,105 (9%)
• Germany – 12,746 (6.3%)
• India – 7,564 (3.8%)
• France – 6,904 (3.4%)
• United States – 5,790 (2.9%)
• Poland – 5,376 (2.7%)
• Kazakhstan – 3,830 (1.9%)

On average, 7,171 tourists are arriving in the Maldives each day.
With Russia leading the way, tourism officials say the Maldives is positioned for another strong year, supported by steady demand from European, Asian and CIS markets. The early momentum, they note, reflects both the country’s global appeal and the loyalty of travellers who continue to choose the Maldives as their preferred island escape.