The Maldives has welcomed the first tourist visitor of the new year with a special ceremony held at Velana International Airport (VIA).

The first visitor for this year arrived on Etihad flight, Etihad Airways EY278 at around 06:05 am.

The special visitor, Nikolai Stratichuk from Russia was greeted by senior officials from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) along with executives from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

Nikolai was accompanied on this trip by his family. This is his first visit to the Maldives.

The first visitor received a 5 night stay at Reethi Faru Resort. Other special gifts were also conferred to the first visitor of 2023, including gifts from MMPRC, the Ministry of Tourism, MACL and Dhiraagu.

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO and MD) of MMPRC expressed his delight over the awards and accolades that Maldives received during the past year. He stated that MMPRC and the Maldives Tourism Industry’s concerted drive to provide visitors with options to relax and rejuvenate after the effects of the global pandemic bore fruit as hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to the Maldives with the assurances of a safe vacation.

Thoyyib went on to note that the past year was one of immense success to the Maldives, winning award after award.

Maldives achieved its tourist arrival target for 2022, with the arrival of 1.6 millionth tourist, on 19 December.

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.

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

The golden jubilee year of tourism holds a record for milestones related to the tourism sector. As such, Maldives has been crowned the World’s Leading Destination thrice in a row.

Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom notes 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.

The government has a target of attracting at least 1.8 Million tourists this new year 2023.