Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has set ambitious projections for the Maldivian tourism sector, with expectations to welcome at least 2.5 million tourists by 2025. This announcement was made during a ceremony at Velana International Airport (VIA), where the minister personally welcomed the one millionth tourist of the current year.
The Maldivian government aims to attract 2 million tourists in 2024, building on the momentum of already hosting 1 million tourists this year. Efforts are intensifying to further boost tourist numbers, with a strong focus on strategic marketing and infrastructure development.
Minister Faisal highlighted that the marketing plan for the upcoming year is currently in preparation, with final figures to be determined upon its completion. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in setting a target of at least 2.5 million tourist arrivals for 2025, particularly noting the significant increase in arrivals from China. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to explore the Indian market and the developing Bangladesh market.
To support this ambitious goal, Minister Faisal plans to collaborate closely with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) to increase tourist inflows from India. He noted that the number of Indian tourists is expected to rise by the end of this year.
In addition to these marketing efforts, Minister Faisal announced the scheduled opening of the new terminal at Velana International Airport in November this year, with all works expected to be completed within the first quarter of the next year. This development is anticipated to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the airport, thereby supporting the projected increase in tourist arrivals.
The Maldives continues to position itself as a premier tourist destination, leveraging its strategic marketing initiatives and infrastructure development to achieve these ambitious targets. Minister Faisal’s optimistic projections reflect the country’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing its status as a top destination in the global tourism industry.
