Maldives Is Going to Miss Its Tourism Target
Despite a record-breaking year for arrivals, the government's ambitious 2.3 million goal is now likely out of reach.
The Maldivian government set an ambitious goal for itself this year: welcome 2.3 million tourists to its sunny shores. But as we head into the final quarter, the latest statistics suggest this target is likely just out of reach.
While the country is on track for a fantastic year of tourism, the math for hitting that 2.3 million mark is looking increasingly tough. Let’s break it down.
The Mountain to Climb
According to the Ministry of Tourism, 1.6 million tourists had already visited the Maldives by last Wednesday. That’s a huge success, but it leaves a gap of 695,587 visitors who need to arrive in the last three months of the year.
With just 98 days left, that means the country needs to average 7,098 tourist arrivals every single day until the new year.
To put that number in perspective, even during December—the absolute peak of the tourist season—daily arrivals typically average around 6,500. The challenge is magnified by the fact that we’re currently in the low season, with daily arrivals having dropped to about 4,895 this month.
Based on these trends, the most realistic projection is that the Maldives will welcome around 2.2 million tourists this year—a phenomenal achievement, but still about 58,000 short of the official goal.
It’s Not All Bad News
Missing a target doesn’t mean the year is a failure. Far from it. The industry is actually performing exceptionally well compared to last year.
Total arrivals so far are up by a healthy 9.6% compared to the same period in 2024.
Even the current “low” daily numbers are 12% higher compared to last year.
The growth is undeniable.
Shifting Tides: Who Is Visiting the Maldives?
Traditional markets are driving the strong performance. China has taken the lead as the top source of tourists, followed closely by Russia, the UK, Germany, and Italy.
Top 5 Markets This Year:
China: 254,950 tourists
Russia: 194,606 tourists
UK: 142,957 tourists
Germany: 111,569 tourists
Italy: 111,253 tourists
The most interesting story, however, is the shift with the Indian market. Once the number one source market, India has now dropped out of the top five. Despite a target to attract 200,000 Indian tourists this year, only 92,252 have visited so far, accounting for just 5.7% of total arrivals.
In a recent interview, Visit Maldives Chairman Abdullah Giyas Riyaz acknowledged the challenge, stating that hitting the target would require “record arrivals” and approximately 13% growth over the final months—a tall order for any destination.
So, while the 2.3 million goal might not be met, the Maldives is still celebrating a year of remarkable growth in its most vital industry.
The original article published on Dhauru: https://dhauru.com/post/business/39137 [DHV]