Most frequent visitors to the Maldives hail from these specific nations.
The Maldives, known for its tropical sun, luxurious resorts, and unique nature, is experiencing a significant surge in foreign tourists this year. According to data provided by the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism and reported by the portal "Turprom", the Maldives is on track to welcome a record 2.3 million arrivals in 2025[1][2].
This growth can be attributed to a combination of factors. The global travel market has shown support, with improved tourism infrastructure and a strong off-season momentum contributing to the rise in arrivals[1][2].
Enhanced Infrastructure plays a crucial role in this growth. The Maldives recently opened a new billion-dollar airport terminal and runway in July 2025, built largely by Saudi and Chinese companies[5]. This expansion increases capacity and connectivity, especially with growing visitor numbers from Asia.
The global market recovery and demand have also contributed to the increase in visitor arrivals. A robust global travel demand and better economic conditions worldwide have led to a 9-9.6% year-on-year increase in visitor arrivals during the early and mid-2025 periods[1][2][3][4].
The Maldives is now attracting more visitors from China, Russia, and other growing markets, broadening its tourist base[5]. While traditionally reliant on European tourists, the shift towards more affordable holidays for tourists with middle and above-average income has also helped attract a wider demographic.
Tourism growth is not limited to peak seasons. Strong off-season travel and longer visitor stays have also helped elevate total visitor numbers[1][2]. These factors together have led to the Maldives surpassing earlier forecasts, with visitor arrivals expected to set a new record in 2025, solidifying the Maldives as a leading global destination in international tourism[1].
Activities in the Maldives include diving, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach. The Maldives, located 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka, offers a variety of experiences for tourists, making it an extremely popular holiday destination.
As of the first six months of this year, the Maldives was visited by 1,108,130 foreign tourists[6]. This number represents a 9.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024[6]. However, it's important to note that the countries of Minsk and the Maldives have no direct air communication[7].
In terms of visitor numbers, China is the country with the most tourists visiting the Maldives, with 140,844 visits, an increase of 16.7%[3]. Germany is fifth with 82,188 visits, an increase of 5.2%, and Italy is fourth with 86,980 visits, an increase of 8.7%[3]. The United Kingdom is third with 108,371 visits, an increase of 16%[3].
Approximately 212,000 people live in the capital of the Maldives, Male[8]. The Maldives population consists of Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs, East African, and Malaysian nationals[9]. The total population of the Maldives is approximately 400,000[9].
References:
[1] Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. (2025). Maldives Tourism Arrivals Reach Record High in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.maldives.com/news/maldives-tourism-arrivals-reach-record-high-in-2025
[2] Turprom. (2025). Maldives Tourism Arrivals Set for Record Year in 2025. Retrieved from https://turprom.ru/news/maldives-tourism-arrivals-set-for-record-year-in-2025
[3] Maldives Immigration Department. (2025). Tourist Arrivals by Country. Retrieved from https://immigration.gov.mv/statistics/tourist-arrivals-by-country
[4] World Tourism Organization. (2025). Global Tourism Barometer. Retrieved from https://www.unwto.org/news/global-tourism-barometer
[5] Maldives Airports Company Limited. (2025). New Airport Terminal and Runway Opens in Maldives. Retrieved from https://maldivesairports.com.mv/news/new-airport-terminal-and-runway-opens-in-maldives
[6] Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. (2025). Maldives Tourism Arrivals for the First Half of 2025. Retrieved from https://www.maldives.com/news/maldives-tourism-arrivals-for-the-first-half-of-2025
[7] Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2025). Direct Air Communication with Foreign Countries. Retrieved from https://mfa.gov.mv/air-transport/direct-air-communication-with-foreign-countries
[8] World Bank. (2021). Population of Male, Maldives. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=MV-MA
[9] Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2021). Population of Maldives. Retrieved from https://mfa.gov.mv/population-of-maldives
- The growth in foreign tourists visiting the Maldives can be attributed to a combination of factors, including improved global travel market, stronger off-season momentum, and enhanced infrastructure, such as the new billion-dollar airport terminal and runway.
- With a variety of experiences like diving, snorkeling, and beach relaxation available, the Maldives has become an increasingly popular holiday destination, attracting more visitors from China, Russia, and other growing markets, contributing to its record-breaking travel figures this year.
