Maldives records 3.9pc drop in tourist arrivals in early October

Dhaka: Tourist arrivals in the Maldives declined 3.9 percent year over year during the first two weeks of October 2026, although visitor numbers remained significantly higher than in the same period two years earlier.

The island nation welcomed 79,529 tourists between October 1 and 14, down from 82,770 during the corresponding period in 2025, according to official figures cited in tourism reports. However, arrivals were still 11.4 percent above the level recorded in 2024.

The Maldives averaged 5,681 tourist arrivals per day during the first half of October, compared with 5,912 a day a year earlier. The daily average nevertheless increased from 4,960 in September, indicating stronger visitor traffic entering the final quarter.

Cumulative arrivals through October 14 reached approximately 1.65 million, below the 1.72 million recorded during the same period last year.

China remained the Maldives’ largest source market, contributing 317,524 visitors, followed by Russia with 239,816. The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and India also continued to supply significant numbers of tourists.

Resorts accounted for 73.9 percent of visitor accommodation choices, while guesthouses hosted 21.8 percent. Safari vessels and other marine accommodation options received most of the remaining visitors.