Honeymooner becomes Maldives’ two millionth tourist of 2025

A first-time visitor to the Maldives has been named the country’s two millionth tourist of 2025, adding an unexpected highlight to her honeymoon.

Bethany Sarah Carswell, 30, is holidaying at Outrigger Maafushivaru Resort with her husband. The couple were greeted on arrival with traditional bodu beru drums and presented with gifts to mark the milestone, including a week-long stay at the Standard Maldives Resort.

The UK is the Maldives’ third-largest source market, with 177,000 visitors so far this year.

Last year, the two millionth tourist arrived on 26 December. This year, the figure was reached a full month earlier, with arrivals up 10 percent compared with the same period in 2024.

The government’s initial target for 2025 is 2.3 million tourist arrivals, although the state budget forecasts 2.2 million.

The finance ministry projects 2.4 million visitors in 2026.