Maldives welcomes Georgina, first tourist of the year

Maldives welcomed its first tourist of the year on Saturday; Georgina Canning from the United Kingdom, who came to the island nation on holiday with her partner.  

Georgina arrived in Maldives on Gulf Air (Flight GF144) just after 06:00 am on Saturday.  

She was greeted by senior officials from the Tourism and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), along with representatives from Maldives Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). 

This marks Georgina’s second visit to Maldives. 

Georigina had visited Maldives with her partner around the same time last year, spending 12 days at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives.   

The couple had attempted a second visit to Maldives last year, but failed, due to travel restrictions.  

They will be staying in Maldives for 11 days this year.  

The couple said they were delighted and honored to be the first tourists to visit Maldives in the year 2022.   

They hope to visit Maldives again next year.  

As the first visitor of the year, Georgina received a five-night holiday with a full board meal plan for two persons at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo. She also received additional gifts from MMPRC, Torism Ministry, Maldives Immigration and MACL, as well as Dhiraagu and Koel Eyewear.  

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Maldives, crowned the World’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards in 2021 for the second year in the running – is rebounding faster than initially projected. The island nation received more tourist arrivals than projected, passing the 1.3 million mark on December 27. 

Maldives also celebrates 50 years to its tourism industry this year. 

MMPRC’s Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed expressed his delight with the swift recovery of the Maldives tourism industry following the setbacks from COVID-19 over the previous two years. 

“Our nation’s success, despite the difficulties faced by the global pandemic, stands testament to our optimism and strength of solidarity – these are fundamental elements of the continued success of our tourism industry. With that optimism, we warmly welcome our first visitor for this year. And with that strength of solidarity, we take another step into the golden jubilee year of Maldivian tourism,” he said. 

Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom also remarked on the success of the Maldivian tourism industry.   

“In spite of the global challenges, the year 2021 has been a very successful year for Maldives tourism. Tourist bed capacity increased by 9.4 percent and the bed nights exceeded 11 million breaking the previous record of 10.7 nights. Furthermore, Maldives won the World’s Leading Destination Award by World Travel Awards for the second time consecutively. I appreciate the continuous engagement, contributions and support of all the tourism industry stakeholders, related authorities and agencies, the hardworking staff of the tourism sector, the lovely people of Maldives and the tourists," he said.