Maldives has achieved its tourist arrival target for 2022, with the arrival of 1.6 millionth tourist.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in his address at the opening of the Parliament for the year on February 3, 2022, announced the administration's ambition to attract over 1.6 million tourists this year. Maldives welcomed the 1.6 millionth tourist of the year on Monday.

At a ceremony held at the Velana International Airport (VIA), Vice President Faisal Naseem officially welcomed the 1.6 millionth visitor to the Maldives.

The event was organized by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) with the assistance of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Immigration and Maldives Customs Service.

The Maldives reached the target with the combined efforts of relevant government agencies, the private sector, and industry stakeholders.

The 1.6 millionth visitor, Tejas Sanjay Kothari from India arrived in the Maldives for his honeymoon onboard Air Vistara Flight No. UK271. Tejas Sanjay was conferred special gifts on behalf of MMPRC, the Tourism Ministry, and other stakeholders.

This is his first time in the Maldives and he is accompanied by his spouse.

The 1.6 millionth visitor was welcomed and escorted to the event area with traditional Maldivian Boduberu and cultural procession. A traditional Maldivian dance performance was carried out for the visitor after which special gifts were conferred to him by MMPRC, MACL, Tourism Ministry, Maldives Immigration, and Maldives Customs Service.

The gifts included a traditional Maldivian Tannu, conferred to the visitor by Vice President Faisal Naseem, a gift hamper from Visit Maldives, and a free holiday voucher from LUX* South Ari Atoll.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of MMPRC, Thoyyib Mohamed stated that the golden jubilee year of tourism holds a record for milestones related to the tourism sector, citing that this is all due to the persistent and continuous efforts of everyone involved in the industry.

He said that the country is celebrating yet another milestone following the recent momentous wins at the WTA.

Thoyyib noted that it is no small feat for a tiny nation like Maldives to be crowned the World’s Leading Destination thrice in a row. He went on to highlight the perseverance of the tourism industry during the harshest of times that the world has seen recently led the country to these achievements.

Thoyyib stated that all this is undeniably the result of the Government’s foresight in policy formulation; implementation during and post-covid; the sacrifices and hard work of employees of the tourism sector; the joint efforts of every single tourism sector stakeholder; and the noteworthy efforts of MMPRC staff and network of global travel trade partners.

Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, appreciated the engagement and support of Travel and Tourism Industry stakeholders in achieving yet another milestone of Maldives Tourism success story. He stated that this quick rebound of Maldives tourism to pre-pandemic level is a clear indication of the visionary leadership of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, sound tourism policies and the strong partnership between the government and the private sector.

In 2021, the Maldives achieved its target of attracting 1.3 million tourists two months before the year's end.

So far, the Maldives has attracted 23.1 per cent more travelers than the previous year. The administration earmarked an increased budget this year for tourism promotion activities.