The Maldives has welcomed the first tourist visitor for 2022, with a special ceremony held at Velana International Airport (VIA).
The first visitor of 2022, Georgina Canning from the UK, arrived in the Maldives via Gulf Air at around 0610hrs on January 1. She was greeted by senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), along with representatives from Maldives Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
The first visitor received a five-night holiday with a full board meal plan for two persons at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo. Other special gifts were also conferred to the first visitor of 2022, including gifts from MMPRC, Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Immigration, and MACL. Gifts were also presented to the first visitor by Dhiraagu and Koel Eyewear.
Speaking at the ceremony held to welcome the first visitor of 2022, Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom remarked upon the success of the Maldivian tourism industry, despite the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism minister noted the year 2021 has been a very successful year for Maldives tourism, with tourist bed capacity increasing by 9.4% and the bed nights exceeding 11 million, breaking the previous record of 10.7 million nights. He expressed his appreciation for the continuous engagement, contributions, and support of all the tourism industry stakeholders, related authorities and agencies, the hardworking staff of the tourism sector, the people of the Maldives, and tourists.
Last year, the Maldives secured the title of World's Leading Destination at the 2021 World Travel Awards, globally recognised as the hallmark of industry excellence. This is the second consecutive year that the Maldives had successfully earned this prestigious title.
This year also marks the Golden Jubilee of tourism in the Maldives. MMPRC has planned over 60 in-person events for the year 2022, including 17 fairs, roadshows, and events scheduled for just the first quarter.