Beaches, Romance Keep Drawing Tourists to the Maldives

Sun, sand and romance remain the Maldives' biggest selling points, with beaches topping the list of reasons tourists choose the destination, according to the Maldives Visitor Survey 2025.

The survey found that 63 percent of visitors cited beaches as their main reason for travelling to the Maldives, while 55 percent were drawn by the underwater beauty and marine life. Peacefulness, pleasant weather, the country's unique island setting and its reputation as a bucket-list destination were also among the top attractions.

The findings show the Maldives continues to be a favourite for couples, with 65 percent of visitors travelling with a partner or spouse. Overall, 77 percent travelled either as couples or families, reinforcing the country's reputation as a destination for romantic and family holidays.

Resorts remained the most popular accommodation choice, with 70 percent of respondents staying exclusively at resorts. A further 21 percent opted for hotels or guesthouses, with the report noting that guesthouse tourism continues to expand by supporting local island economies and offering more cultural and community-based experiences.

Most tourists stayed between four and seven nights, highlighting the Maldives as a destination for complete holiday experiences rather than short getaways.

The survey also found that personal recommendations and social media are playing an increasingly important role in attracting visitors, accounting for nearly two-thirds of how first-time tourists first learned about the Maldives.