Arrivals dip in early November as China and Russia stay top source markets
Official figures show 53,683 visitors in the first nine days of November, 8.8 per cent fewer than a year earlier.
The Maldives received 53,683 tourists between 1 and 9 November, according to Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation figures reported by MMTV. That is 8.8 per cent below the same nine days of 2025, when 58,845 visitors arrived.
The softer start to the month comes after October showed a year-on-year increase. Earlier in the year, arrivals had fallen, which the report links to the conflict in the Middle East. Government and industry efforts were credited with helping October's recovery.
The year so far
Total arrivals for 2026 stand at about 1.8 million, roughly 3.1 per cent behind the approximately 1.9 million recorded at the same point last year. The ministry puts the daily average at 5,913 arrivals.
Where visitors are coming from
The ranking of source markets is unchanged at the top:
- China: 336,820 arrivals
- Russia: 265,460
- United Kingdom: 140,975
- Germany: 124,808
- Italy: 108,825
Why it matters
November marks the run-up to the northeast monsoon high season, which traditionally brings the busiest months of the year. How quickly arrivals pick up over the coming weeks will be closely watched by resorts, guesthouses and liveaboard operators planning for the festive period.
