Maldives targets 2.4 million tourists in 2026 despite shortfall this year

The government has projected that 2.4 million tourists will visit the Maldives next year, setting a higher target despite falling short of this year’s goal.

The official target for 2025 was 2.3 million arrivals, but with less than two months remaining, the Maldives still needs to attract over 400,000 more tourists to meet that figure. As of Tuesday, 1.8 million tourists had visited the country, according to the latest statistics from the Tourism Ministry.

The 2026 budget book, however, presents a more conservative estimate of 2.2 million tourists, lower than the government’s stated target before.

Tourist stay durations are also expected to decline next year. The budget projects a 7.2 percent drop in average overnight stays, though the current year’s average has not yet been finalized.

China remains the Maldives’ largest source market, with 296,135 arrivals so far this year. Russia follows with 232,834, while the UK ranks third with 163,977 tourists. Germany and Italy round out the top five, with 137,291 and 121,924 arrivals respectively.

The Maldives currently operates 66,054 tourist beds, with the majority located in resorts and marinas (44,239 beds) and guesthouses accounting for 16,068 beds.