Tourist arrivals decline by 1.5 percent in February

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives fell by 1.5 percent in February, compared to the same period last year.

Statistics from Tourism Ministry show that 214,000 tourists visited the Maldives last month, down from 217,000 in February of the previous year. However, in the first four days of February, the number of tourists was similar to the same period last year, with 28,000 visitors.

Despite the dip in February, the overall tourist arrivals for the year have seen an increase. In January, 214,000 tourists visited the Maldives, and the total number of visitors so far in 2025 stands at 450,000, marking a 5 percent increase from the 435,000 tourists who visited during the same period last year.

The largest group of tourists came from China, with 60,000 visitors, followed by Russia and the UK, both contributing 45,000 tourists each. Italy also showed strong numbers, with 43,000 visitors so far this year.

Resorts have seen the highest concentration of visitors, with 316,000 tourists staying at resorts, which accounts for 69 percent of total arrivals.

Last year, Maldives welcomed two million tourists, and the government is aiming to attract 2.2 million tourists this year.