News
Half a million tourists visit Maldives in five months
Maldives.net.mv – With an impressive 14.9% increase in arrivals during the month of May 2014, tourist arrivals to the Maldives continue to flourish, reaching half a million from January to May 2014. The Maldives welcomed a total of 518,166 tourists for the period, registering a strong growth of 11.9% over the same the period of 2013.
Although Asia and the Pacific Region took lead as the market generator during the month of May 2014, Europe remained as the market leader with 48.3% shares at the end of the period from January to May 2014. The region brought in an additional 34,544 tourists during the month of May, which was a decline of -1.8% compared to that of May 2013. Tourist arrivals from European region reached a total of 253,602 at the end May 2014, registering a marginal growth of 0.7% for the period. With the negative growth seen from sub regions, Central/Eastern Europe (-10.3%) and Western Europe (-5.6%) during the month of May 2014, the overall growth rate from both the regions resulted negative growths of -5.1% and -0.6% respectively, for the period from January to May 2014. Best performance for the month of May was recorded from East Mediterranean Europe with a positive 41.5% increase. While Southern Europe posted a +15% growth during the month of May resulting in a positive growth of 5.3% at the end of the period January to May, Northern Europe registered a growth rate of 4.3% for the month of May leading to an increase of +7.2% for the period in review. In terms of market shares, the two sub regions which posted negative growths covered most of the arrivals from Europe. While a total of 105,923 tourists taking hold of 20% shares was recorded for the Western Europe, Central Eastern Europe took hold of 10.6% shares with 54,691 arrivals. When looking at individual market performances from Europe, top five markets were Germany, U.K, Russia, Italy and France. The German market maintained its position at the top with 8.3% shares. With an additional 8,365 tourists in May 2014, the total arrivals from Germany for the period from January to May 2014 was 43,188 resulting in a slight increase of 0.9% for the period. The U.K market did well with a 4.6% increase at the end of May 2014, supplying 7.7% to market shares for the period. The Russian market deteriorated further posting a negative growth of 7.5% for the period from January to May 2014. Market share of Russia stood at 6.4% at the end of the period. Italy and France remained at 4th and 5th positions respectively with 6.0% share and 5.9% shares. While the Italian market has shown improvements posting a positive growth of 1.7% at the end of May 2014, the French market performed with a negative growth of 3.6%.
Asia and the Pacific region has been showing outstanding results throughout the last five months of 2014. The region overtook Europe, to be the leading market generator during the month of May 2014 taking hold of 55% of total arrivals to the Maldives during the month. With a total of 50,354 tourists in May, the total arrivals from the Region for the period from January to May 2014, was recorded to be 229,847, which was a 24.7% increase over the same period of 2013. The region represented 44.4% of all arrivals during the period January to May 2014. All sub regions posted above average growth rates with South East Asia as the leading sub region with 64.1% in terms of growth rate. Over 75% of all arrivals from Asia and the Pacific and 33% of total arrivals to Maldives during the period from January to May, came from sub region North East Asia. By individual market performances, China continues to show remarkable performances maintaining its number one position as the market leader with more than 27% shares. At the end of May 2014, a total of 141,249 tourists arrived in Maldives from China, which was 23.3% increase over the same period of 2013. India, Japan and Korea were the second, third and fourth markets respectively from this region. Indian market saw an increase of 13.1% during the period in review contributing 3.5% as market shares at the end of the period. The Japanese market improved its performance posting an impressive growth rate of nearly 16% during the month of May leading to a positive 7.1% growth rate for the period from January to May 2014. A strong growth of 45% was recorded from the Korean market during this period with the arrivals reaching a total of 14,016 at the end of May. Market share of Korea stood at 2.7% at the end of the period.
Americas, which was the third leading region with 3.4% shares, brought in 17,470 tourists to the Maldives during the period January to May 2014. A healthy growth of 32% was recorded from this region for the period. The U.S. market took hold of over 60% of arrivals from the region with a total of 10,483 tourists at the end of the period. The Middle East market share was increased to 2.7% maintained at 2.6% during the period. This region also posted an impressive growth of 24.2% for the period. Double digit growth rates were recorded from all major markets from the region. Africa region market share remained at 0.6% at the end of May 2014. Although a negative growth (-6.8%) was recorded from this region for the month of May 2014, the overall growth rate remained positive at 1.4% at the end of the period from January to May 2014.
At the end of May 2014, the total number of registered tourist establishments reached 460 with 30,510 beds, out of which on average 291 establishments with a sum total of 27,004 beds were operational during the period in review. These include 105 tourist resorts (23,029 beds), 17 hotels (1,510 beds), 112 guest houses (1,539 beds) and 57 safari vessels (927 beds). The overall bed nights of these establishments saw an increase of 5.9% during the period reaching a total of 3,262,667 nights. While the occupancy rate recorded an increase of 2.3% to attain an average of 80.2% for the period, average duration of stay of the tourists saw a decline of 0.4%. The average duration of stay for the period was 6.3 days.
Source: Ministry of Tourism
The Indian Ocean provides consistent surf conditions throughout the year, but each September, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa hosts the Surfing Champions Trophy at the Sultans break. The event is scheduled to return from 4 to 11 September 2026, bringing together professional surfers, guests and spectators.
Now in its 14th edition, the Surfing Champions Trophy is an invitation-only event featuring professional surfers competing across three board disciplines: single fin, twin fin and thruster. The competition takes place at Sultans, a reef break in North Malé Atoll, with Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa serving as the base for participants, officials and attending guests.
The line-up for the 2026 edition will be announced in stages in the coming months.
The event was first held in 2011, with Mark Occhilupo winning all three divisions and the Grand Champions Final. Since then, previous winners have included Damien Hardman (2012), Taylor Knox (2013), Dave Rastovich (2014), Shane Dorian (2015), Taj Burrow (2016, 2017 and 2024), Josh Kerr (2018 and 2019), Kelly Slater (2022), and Joel Parkinson (2023).
Over the years, the competition has also featured a range of international surfers, including Carissa Moore, Maya Gabeira, Tom Curren, Rob Machado, Layne Beachley, Bethany Hamilton, Mikey February, Jeremy Flores and Jadson Andre.
The 2025 edition saw Tahitian surfer Michel Bourez secure victory despite sustaining a hamstring injury during the event. He won both the thruster division and the Grand Champions Final, achieving the only perfect score of the competition in the closing moments of the final. Other participants included Owen Wright, Jesse Mendes, Craig Anderson and Maldivian wildcard Ismail Rasheed.
In parallel with the event, the resort offers the “Surf’s Up” package, which includes coaching sessions with Tropicsurf professionals, guided surf trips, daily yoga sessions, spa treatments, and accommodation with transfers. The package is available to guests seeking to participate in surf-related activities during the event period.
Updates on the 2026 competition, including participant announcements, will be released through official channels of the Surfing Champions Trophy and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.
JOALI has announced a partnership with retired footballer Fara Williams, who will visit JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING this April to lead a series of football-related activities for guests and the local community.
Fara Williams is among the most capped players in English football history, with 172 international appearances for the England women’s national team. Over the course of her career, she represented clubs including Chelsea and Charlton Athletic, and captained Everton to victory in the Premier League Cup in 2008 and the FA Women’s Cup in 2010.
As part of the initiative, Williams will host a football workshop for girls from Dhuvaafaru Island on 11 April 2026. The session is intended to support the development of women’s football in the Maldives and reflects JOALI’s engagement with communities in Raa Atoll.
In addition, family-focused football sessions will be held for resort guests on 13 April at JOALI Maldives and on 17 April at JOALI BEING. These sessions will provide children and families with the opportunity to participate in football activities guided by Williams.
JOALI Maldives offers villas starting from USD 3,256 per night for two guests sharing a Water Villa with Pool on a bed and breakfast basis. At JOALI BEING, villas start from USD 3,162 per night for two guests sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis.
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has unveiled Moon Over Kodhipparu, a month-long programme of curated lunar-inspired experiences scheduled to take place throughout May 2026. Drawing on the natural rhythm of the moon, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives through a series of immersive activities designed to foster connection to self, others, and the surrounding island environment.
Set against the Indian Ocean, the programme structures each significant lunar phase as a distinct experiential segment. The Flower Full Moon at the beginning of the month introduces a theme of renewal, with activities including guided sound healing sessions, sunset cruises that extend into moonlit lagoon journeys, and oceanfront dining experiences.
Midway through the month, the Super New Moon presents a contrasting focus on stillness and reflection. Guests are invited to participate in beachside wellness sessions, starlit cruises under dark skies, and night fishing experiences guided by the natural rhythm of the sea.
The programme concludes with the Blue Moon on 31 May, marked by a series of experiences centred on celebration and connection, including couples’ spa treatments, lagoon cruises, and curated dining experiences under moonlight.
In addition to these key lunar events, the programme runs throughout May with a range of experiences integrated into the resort offering. Evening options include private beach lounge settings illuminated by lanterns, alongside a selection of botanical cocktails reflecting the changing tones of the night sky. The resort also offers tailored private dining and proposal arrangements, as well as a Mother’s Day concept that enables guests to arrange personalised experiences for travelling family members.
The programme reflects a broader trend in luxury travel towards experience-led stays. At Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, this is reflected through the integration of wellness, dining, and ocean-based activities into a structured programme designed to create continuity across the guest experience.
Guests are able to access the programme through the resort’s “Night on Us” offer, available for bookings made until 30 April 2026. The offer includes two complimentary nights on a six-night stay, allowing guests additional time to engage with multiple phases of the programme. It is valid for stays through 31 October 2026.
Located approximately 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives offers overwater villas, a house reef, and a range of curated experiences that reflect the natural and cultural setting of the Maldives.
Through Moon Over Kodhipparu, the resort continues to expand its experience offering by aligning guest activities with natural cycles and structured programming.
-
Action1 week agoSix Senses Kanuhura participates in international COASTS Project on blue carbon ecosystems
-
Cooking1 week agoAnantara Veli Maldives continues Michelin guest chef series with female lineup
-
Action1 week agoBaros Maldives introduces ‘Lines of Respect’ fishing programme
-
News1 week agoSun Siyam Iru Veli introduces new treatments at Ocean Spa
-
News1 week agoReethi Faru Resort joins global Earth Hour campaign with conservation efforts
-
Awards1 week agoVilla Park recognised with CHECK24 Top Hotel Award
-
Cooking1 week agoNH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort launches Caravela dining concept
-
News1 week agodusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives observes Earth Hour with sustainability efforts