Tourist arrivals to the Maldives increased in October compared to the same month last year, despite an overall decline in visitor numbers during the first ten months of 2026 amid the conflict in the Middle East.
According to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism, a total of 194,039 tourists visited the Maldives in October 2026, compared to 192,398 arrivals recorded during the same period last year.
The figures show that the Maldives has welcomed approximately 1.79 million tourists so far this year, representing a 2.9 per cent decrease compared to the 1.85 million visitors recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
The five largest source markets for tourist arrivals this year are:
- China: 331,871
- Russia: 256,822
- United Kingdom: 135,897
- Germany: 119,589
- Italy: 105,485
Of the total arrivals recorded so far this year, approximately 1.3 million tourists stayed at resorts, while 381,605 stayed at guesthouses. Hotels accommodated another 39,539 visitors.
Despite the decline in arrivals compared to last year, the government’s latest projections indicate that the Maldives is expected to welcome slightly more tourists in 2026 than it did in 2025.
With the peak tourism season approaching, the country is preparing to accommodate increased visitor numbers. A total of 180 resorts, 17 hotels and 919 guesthouses are currently operational, alongside 164 safari vessels.
