Australia has risen to become the Maldives’ seventh-largest source market for tourists, with 39,487 Australian visitors recorded so far this year, amid growing demand and improved air connectivity between the two countries.
The latest statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism show that arrivals from Australia increased by 20.2 per cent compared with the 32,843 visitors recorded during the same period last year.
Australian tourists currently account for 2.4 per cent of total arrivals to the Maldives. Australia ranked 11th among the country’s largest tourism markets at the end of last year.
The growth comes as the Maldives strengthens its air connectivity with Australia. National airline Maldivian launched the first direct flights between Malé and Melbourne on 18 May, establishing the first non-stop air link between the two countries.
The weekly seasonal service, operated using an Airbus A330 in partnership with Australian travel company Luxury Escapes, offers travellers a more convenient alternative to connecting flights through other countries. The route was introduced to improve access to the Maldives and support growth in the Australian tourism market.
Following the launch, arrivals from Australia increased by 16 per cent in the three weeks to early June compared with the corresponding period last year. Maldivian also reported strong demand for the route, with around half of the available seats on its weekly service already booked in August.
The airline has since announced plans to introduce a scheduled weekly service to Melbourne from 2027, following the positive response to the route.
Alongside improved connectivity, Visit Maldives has stepped up promotional efforts in Australia, holding a three-city tourism roadshow in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney in July to strengthen partnerships with travel industry stakeholders and attract more visitors.
During the first six months of this year, 17,737 Australian tourists visited the Maldives. The number has since more than doubled, reaching 39,487 as of the latest reporting period.
Australia’s rise comes as China remains the Maldives’ largest tourism source market, with more than 300,000 visitors recorded so far this year. Russia has contributed more than 200,000 arrivals, while the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy have each recorded more than 100,000 visitors. India has also contributed more than 95,000 arrivals.
