The Maldives has welcomed the first tourist arrival of 2024.
Benjamin Duncan Moore, a citizens of the United Kingdom, had the honor of being the first arrival this year and was welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA) by Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal and representatives from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The welcoming ceremony was also attended by various stakeholders, including tourism service providers and individuals from the tourism sector.
The Maldives had successfully attracted 1.8 million tourists in 2023, surpassing the set target on December 20 of that year. As such, the government now aspires to draw in two million tourists in 2024. The government also stated that plans are underway to increase tourist arrivals by expanding existing markets and exploring new ones in order to achieve the target.