The Maldives has reached one million tourist arrivals for 2026, maintaining the same pace as last year despite pressures on international travel and key air routes.
The one millionth visitor, Almudena Ortuño Esparza from Spain, arrived at Velana International Airport yesterday on a Qatar Airways flight. It is her first visit to the Maldives, and she is spending her holiday in Fulidhoo, Vaavu Atoll.
A ceremony was held at Velana International Airport to mark the milestone, jointly organised by Visit Maldives Corporation, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Maldives Airports Company Limited, and Maldives Immigration. Ms Esparza was welcomed with a traditional cultural reception and received gifts from tourism stakeholders and event partners.
The milestone comes as the tourism sector continues to navigate uncertainty in global travel, including disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East and its impact on key air corridors. Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen said the achievement was significant given the pressures faced by the sector this year, noting that the disruption to major air corridors had placed strain on the industry for several months.
Visit Maldives Corporation CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree said reaching one million arrivals within the same period as last year reflected the industry’s resilience and ability to adapt to changing market conditions. He said the corporation had intensified marketing activity across key source markets, particularly India, China and Russia, while also continuing efforts to expand visibility in emerging markets.
Visit Maldives Corporation has participated in major travel trade events including SATTE 2026, MITT 2026, ITB Berlin and ITB China as part of its wider destination marketing efforts. The corporation has also carried out joint campaigns and strategic partnerships with travel and aviation stakeholders including IndiGo, MakeMyTrip, TBO, Thomas Cook, Maldiviana and Art Tour.
The ceremony also highlighted preparations for Visit Maldives Year 2027. As part of the event, Minister Ameen presented Ms Esparza with the first official invitation to visit the Maldives during the campaign year. She was also presented with a complimentary six-night stay at Coco Bodu Hithi.
The milestone reflects continued demand for the Maldives as a tourism destination, as well as the sector’s efforts to sustain arrival momentum across major and emerging markets.
