The Maldives has marked a historic milestone in 2025, recording its strongest tourism performance to date, with projected travel receipts expected to exceed USD 5.4 billion, surpassing the national target of USD 5 billion.

According to the latest figures released by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), tourism receipts grew by 15.8% year-on-year compared to 2024, underscoring the resilience and strength of the Maldivian tourism sector amid global and regional economic pressures.

2025 also stands as a record arrivals year for the Maldives. The year began amid cautious forecasts from industry experts, following announcements of proposed airport tax and Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) adjustments scheduled for 2026. While these measures were widely debated, they were necessitated by the country’s broader fiscal realities. Despite these concerns, the Maldivian tourism industry demonstrated exceptional adaptability and confidence.

The year concluded with approximately 10% growth in surface arrivals, alongside  growth in bed nights, reflecting sustained demand across key source markets. Overall bed capacity increased as well, supported by the opening of new resorts and guesthouses during the year, further strengthening the destination’s accommodation portfolio.

Notably, the Maldives experienced record-breaking low-season performance, with double-digit month-on-month growth in arrivals, highlighting the success of diversified marketing efforts and destination positioning beyond traditional peak travel periods.

Key source markets delivered robust growth, with China recording a 22% increase and Russia growing by 20%, reaffirming their importance to the destination’s recovery and expansion strategy.

While occupancy levels have remained a challenge across the industry due to rapid capacity growth in recent years, Visit Maldives (VMC) continues to work closely with industry stakeholders to address this through targeted campaigns and innovative market strategies. Several high-impact promotional initiatives are already in development for 2026.

Looking ahead, the Maldives is poised for a new phase of growth with mega tourism projects, branded residences, and internationally acclaimed resort openings on the horizon. The destination has been highlighted by Forbes Travel Guide as one of the world’s most exciting locations for luxury hospitality openings in 2026.

In 2025, the Maldives also achieved an unprecedented global recognition by winning the World Travel Awards’ World’s Leading Destination title for the sixth consecutive year, setting a new international record. The destination and its resorts further received multiple Condé Nast Traveler awards, alongside prestigious MICHELIN Key recognitions, reinforcing Maldives’ leadership in luxury and experiential travel.

As part of its evolving strategy, Visit Maldives intensified its focus on high-yield tourism, luxury experiences, and niche segments. In a first for the destination, the Tourism Board actively engaged in Super Yacht-focused campaigns, while collaborating with over 40 international tour operators and airlines to drive premium travel demand. 

Digital engagement also reached historic highs in 2025, with Visit Maldives recording its strongest-ever social media performance, reflecting the growing global resonance of the Maldives brand.

With a clear strategy for 2026 centered on revenue growth, luxury positioning, and sustainable value creation, the Maldives continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most desirable and resilient tourism destinations.