Growing demand from Russian travellers is creating opportunities for Maldivian hotels and resorts, with new research by Yandex Ads offering insights into traveller preferences, booking behaviour and factors influencing accommodation choices. Developed with the support of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), the 2026 study examines how Russian-speaking travellers engage with the Maldives and identifies opportunities for tourism and hospitality businesses to better reach this market.

According to the study, Russian arrivals to the Maldives increased by 18.5% in the first half of 2026, reaching 150,187 visitors and making Russia the country's second-largest source market after China. During the same period, confirmed hotel bookings for Maldivian properties through Yandex Travel increased by 233% compared with the first half of 2025, highlighting continued growth in demand.

The research provides insights into the profile and preferences of Russian travellers. Around 72% of surveyed travellers were visiting the Maldives for the first time, while couples and spouses represented the largest travel group at 56%, followed by families at 31%. Package tours remained the most common booking method, used by 52% of respondents, while 27% arranged their trips independently.

Luxury accommodation continues to dominate Russian traveller demand in the Maldives. In the first half of 2026, 63% of hotel-related search queries were for 5-star properties, compared with 26% for 4-star hotels and 11% for 3-star options. While year-on-year interest grew across all accommodation tiers—rising 7% for 5-star hotels, 19% for 4-star properties, and 18% for 3-star stays—high-end resorts remain the primary focus for Russian visitors. 

The study also examines what influences travellers when choosing the Maldives and selecting accommodation. Warm climate and beaches were the leading reasons for choosing the destination, cited by 57% and 56% of respondents respectively. Service and comfort, active holiday opportunities and cultural experiences also featured among their motivations.

When selecting hotels, beach quality, positive reviews, food quality and clear all-inclusive pricing were among the factors considered. Positive reviews were particularly influential in the final accommodation decision. The availability of Russian-speaking services and airport transfers also featured in travellers' preferences.

Seasonal patterns provide further insights for hospitality providers. While winter remains the preferred travel period, accounting for 55% of surveyed preferences, summer represents 45%. Yandex Travel also recorded a 77% increase in confirmed hotel bookings in July 2026 compared with July 2025, indicating demand across different periods of the year.

The research also identifies opportunities beyond the Maldives' most popular accommodation destinations. While 45% of Yandex Travel hotel bookings were concentrated in Kaafu Atoll, followed by Raa Atoll at 10%, survey findings showed interest in other regions, including Baa, Lhaviyani and South Ari Atoll. Around 64% of respondents said they selected an atoll before choosing a specific hotel, highlighting the importance of destination and atoll-level awareness in their travel decisions.

Sustainability is another emerging area of interest, with searches for eco-friendly accommodation in the Maldives increasing by 68% during the first half of 2026. This was higher than the 13% growth recorded in overall hotel-related searches.

Drawing on Yandex search data, booking trends, a survey of 419 Russian tourists and official Maldivian tourism statistics, the study provides hospitality providers with a closer understanding of a growing source market. Its findings offer insights into how Russian travellers discover the Maldives, what they value in their holiday experience and what influences their accommodation choices. Hotels, resorts and other tourism businesses can explore the full report to gain further insights into Russian traveller behaviour and identify opportunities to strengthen their engagement with this market.

Read the full study: https://ads.yandex/en/maldives-russian-demand-2026