Maldives’ tourist arrivals top 1.8 million

Maldives has welcomed its 1.8 millionth tourist of the year – meeting its initial tourist arrival target for the year.

Hailing from Netherlands, Stefan Mathijs arrived in Maldives with his partner and children on Wednesday evening.

He was welcomed upon arrival at the Velana International Airport by Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal and Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation’s Managing Director Fathimath Thaufeeq, along with other top officials.

Maldives, which was recently crowned the World’s Leading Destination for the fourth year running at the 2023 World Travel Awards, had initially targeted 1.8 tourist arrivals for this year, but later revised the figure to 1.9 million – which will be the highest number of tourists recorded in the country’s history.

Speaking to press, Tourism Minister Faisal said he expects Maldives to achieve its latest target of 1.9 tourist arrivals.

He said the country is currently seeing an average of 5,000 tourist arrivals each day.

“This number undergoes changes each day. Therefore, its probably best not to say a direct figure,” he said.

He said that the development of the VIA is the administration’s biggest priority in terms of tourism development.

“It is one of President Dr. Muizzu’s key pledges to fishing the project within 8-9 months,” he said.

Stefan told reporters that he hadn’t expected to be honored as Maldives’ 1.8 millionth tourist of the year.

He said he came on vacation with his family, and looks forward to enjoy time in the water under the sun.

“Next, we are heading to Sri Lanka. We will return to Maldives again for five days and then return home,” he said.