News Desk
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives increased by eight per cent in the first week of February compared with the same period last year, according to new figures from the Ministry of Tourism.
The ministry reported 60,000 arrivals in the first seven days of the month, up from 55,000 during the same period in 2025. Officials attributed the surge largely to a sharp rise in visitors from China, where outbound travel typically spikes during the Lunar New Year holidays. China has already recorded more than 35,000 arrivals so far this month, overtaking Russia as the top source market for February.
The Maldives opened 2026 with a strong performance, recording 224,788 tourist arrivals in January, a 4.6% increase compared with the same month last year. It was the highest monthly total in Maldivian tourism history.
Russia led the January rankings with 29,370 visitors, followed by Italy, China, the United Kingdom and Germany. Tourism officials say Russian travellers have remained remarkably consistent, helping stabilise 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
These ten markets accounted for 63% of all arrivals.
The country currently offers 179 resorts, 901 guesthouses, 174 safari vessels, and 16 hotels.
On average, 7,171 tourists are arriving in the Maldives each day.
With Russia leading the year‑to‑date rankings and China driving February’s surge, 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.
