Russia has firmly established itself as the Maldives’ largest source of international visitors so far this year, with 14,638 Russian tourists arriving by mid-January, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Tourism.

Between 1 and 11 January, the Maldives greeted a remarkable 79,004 international arrivals — a 13.6 per cent rise compared to the same period last year, when just over 69,500 tourists touched down on the islands. Russia’s continued dominance in the market builds on the nation’s strong showing at the start of 2025, when 11,367 Russian travellers visited during that period.

Italy secured its place as the Maldives’ second-largest source market, contributing 10,298 arrivals, while the United Kingdom followed in third with 5,959 visitors. Germany and China rounded out the top five, with 4,799 and 3,637 arrivals, respectively. India, which experienced a dip in visitor numbers early last year amid diplomatic tensions, ranked sixth with 2,566 arrivals — though recent improvements in bilateral relations have set a positive tone for future tourism exchanges.

The Maldivian government has set its sights on an ambitious target of 2.4 million tourist arrivals for 2026, following last year’s goal of 2.3 million. The country closed out 2025 with a record 2.25 million guests, underscoring its enduring appeal among global travellers.

With diplomatic ties now on a firmer footing — marked by reciprocal visits from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — the Maldives is poised to welcome even greater numbers in the months ahead, further cementing its status as one of the world’s premier luxury destinations.