Kaafu Atoll has emerged as the primary destination for the majority of tourists visiting the Maldives, accounting for nearly half of the total arrivals recorded so far this year. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, the central region continues to dominate the nation’s travel landscape.

Data covering the period from January to the end of July shows that Kaafu Atoll welcomed 553,430 tourists, representing 45.1% of the total market share. Alifu Dhaalu Atoll followed as the second most popular destination with 101,551 arrivals (8.3%), while Raa Atoll secured the third position with 97,070 visitors (7.9%). Other notable performers included Alifu Alifu Atoll with 87,352 arrivals (7.1%) and Baa Atoll with 67,389 visitors (5.5%).

Despite the high concentration of visitors in the central atolls, regional distribution remains significantly uneven. Thaa Atoll recorded the lowest number of visitors during the first seven months of the year, with only 1,912 tourists (0.2%). Similarly low figures were observed in Faafu Atoll with 3,260 arrivals (0.3%), Haa Dhaalu Atoll with 3,277 arrivals (0.3%), and Laamu Atoll with 4,221 arrivals (0.3%).