Ministry of Tourism has disclosed that Italy has secured the spot as the top source market for the Maldives tourism in the first three days of the year 2023.
Statistics revealed by the ministry shows that Maldives has welcomed 17,344 tourists in the first three days of the year.
As such, 4,625 tourists were welcomed on 01 January, followed by 6,487 tourists on 02 January and 6,232 tourists on 03 January.
Ministry's statistics shows that this is a 11.11 percent increase compared to the same period of 2022.
The statistics go on to show that Italy is the top source market for the archipelago nation’s tourism as the new year begins.
As such, Italy is the top tourist market for Maldives, contributing 19.8 percent of the total arrival figure as of 03 January, with 3,437 arrivals.
Second comes Russia, contributing 17.1 percent with 2,974 arrivals, followed by India contributing 6.7 percent, with 1,155 tourist arrivals.
Other top tourism markets so far in 2023 are:
- United Kingdom contributing 5.5 percent with 959 arrivals
- Germany contributing 5.4 percent with 945 arrivals
- United States contributing 4.6 percent with 794 arrivals
- Kazakhstan contributing 2.9 percent with 501 arrivals
- France contributing 2.4 percent with 415 arrivals
- Switzerland contributing 2.4 percent with 411 arrivals
- Sweden contributing 2.1 percent with 362 arrivals
The Maldives welcomed it's 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.
