Resorts Capture 73 Percent of Maldives Tourist Arrivals as Year-to-Date Visitors Hit 1.2 Million

The Maldives has welcomed 1.2 million international tourists so far this year, with the vast majority choosing luxury resorts for their stay. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, resort properties hosted 902,228 visitors, accounting for 73 percent of all total arrivals. On average, the island nation is currently welcoming 5,924 visitors every day. This strong preference for resorts is supported by the country's infrastructure; of the 179 operational resorts currently active, they collectively provide 67 percent of the nation's total operational tourist bed capacity. While resorts dominate the market, other accommodation sectors continue to play a vital role in diversifying the tourism offering. Local guesthouses emerged as the second most popular choice, hosting 277,894 visitors. In comparison, hotels accommodated 29,401 tourists, while safari vessels recorded 23,503 guests during the same period. Recent monthly data reveals a fluctuating trend in arrival numbers. In July, the Maldives recorded 184,735 tourist arrivals. This represents a significant 46 percent surge compared to the figures recorded in June, indicating a strong recovery in short-term travel momentum. However, when compared to the same period last year, July's figures show a slight decline of 1.9 percent. Despite this marginal dip, the overall year-to-date trajectory underscores the resilience of the Maldivian tourism sector and the continued global appeal of its resort-based tourism model.