Velana International Airport Welcomes Over One Million Tourists This Year

The Maldives has surpassed a significant tourism milestone, welcoming over one million visitors through Velana International Airport (VIA) so far this year. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, VIA handled 1,000,134 travelers, accounting for a staggering 97.3 percent of all arrivals to the archipelago. In total, the Maldives has recorded 1,028,549 visitors year-to-date, averaging approximately 5,980 arrivals per day. While VIA remains the primary gateway, other international hubs recorded far lower traffic. Gan International Airport saw 4,057 arrivals, followed by Maafaru with 3,525, Hanimaadhoo with 2,304, Villa International Airport in Maamigili with 1,858, and Dhaalu Airport with 825. Market data reveals that China remains the Maldives' largest source of tourism, contributing 160,811 visitors. Russia follows closely in second place with 143,161 arrivals. Other key markets contributing to the growth include the United Kingdom with 84,545, Italy with 72,561, and Germany with 65,504 visitors. Accommodation trends show that luxury resorts continue to be the preferred choice for the majority of travelers, hosting 721,060 visitors. The burgeoning guesthouse sector has also seen significant traction, accommodating 237,168 tourists. Other visitors opted for hotels, which hosted 24,816 guests, and safari vessels or liveaboards, which accommodated 20,922 travelers. As a primary driver of the national economy, the continued growth in visitor numbers across these key international markets underscores the resilience and appeal of the Maldivian tourism sector.