The Maldives’ tourism industry reached a significant milestone today with the arrival of the one millionth tourist of 2024. The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), celebrated this achievement by welcoming Sutapa Amornvivat, a Thai national, who landed at Velana International Airport on AirAsia flight FD 175 at 11:15 am. This marks her third visit to the Maldives, having previously visited for her honeymoon. She is on a holiday vacation with her family at Niyama Maldives.
The celebration at the airport was a grand affair organised by Visit Maldives in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism. The event saw participation from various government bodies, including the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, and Maldives Customs Service, alongside numerous industry stakeholders. To commemorate this occasion, Sun Siyam Resorts extended a special holiday package to the milestone tourist.
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal expressed his gratitude and highlighted the significance of this achievement. “Reaching the milestone of one million tourist arrivals is a testament to the enduring allure of the Maldives and the unwavering dedication of our tourism industry stakeholders. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, from travel agencies to hospitality providers, whose commitment and hard work have made this achievement possible. Together, we continue to set new standards of excellence and create unforgettable experiences for our visitors,” he said.
February 2024 was a record-breaking month, with the Maldives witnessing an unprecedented influx of over 217,394 tourists. This celebration underscores the strategic efforts of MMPRC and the government to further bolster tourism initiatives.
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and MD of MMPRC, reiterated the collective effort that led to this success. “It is a tribute to the combined efforts of the Maldives’ tourism industry to have welcomed one million tourists earlier than the previous year. This achievement is on course to President Dr Muizzu’s 2 million national tourist arrival target. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with all of our stakeholders. Our dedication doesn’t end here; we’re always working to enhance the Maldives’ travel industry and make sure Sunny Side of Life continues to be a dream destination for everyone,” he stated.
MMPRC has been actively involved in marketing and promoting the Maldives throughout the year, aligning with the national target of attracting 2 million tourists in 2024. The Visit Maldives team has undertaken significant activities to promote the destination, especially in top markets such as China, Russia, the UK, Italy, and Germany. Key marketing fairs and campaigns, including ATM, ITB Berlin, and ITB China, have been pivotal in achieving high arrival numbers from these countries.
