Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has announced that the Maldives is expecting the country's 1.5 millionth tourist in November.

While reaching the 1.5 million tourist milestone is a target of the current administration, and was mentioned in President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's inaugural address, MMPRC’s Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed has announced that this target will be reached during the last week of the month.

He announced this at a press conference held on Tuesday, adding that preparations are underway to give a colourful welcome to the 1.5 millionth visitor.

Thoyyib further stated that the company is currently solely focused on its original mission of promoting the tourism sector as previously mandated prior to the detour caused by the previous administration.

He noted that the company has participated in 27 fairs internationally, in addition to 13 road-shows, amounting to a total of one promotional event every four days of 2019.

Once again referring to the MMPRC graft, Thoyyib noted that the setbacks caused to the tourism sector by the graft are now improving.

According to Thoyyib, the biggest challenge to promoting the tourism sector is the lack of development in Maldivian airports. He highlighted the importance of developing airports all around the Maldives, as well as developing airport services to standards that can cater direct flights from around the world.

He also emphasized the importance of establishing proper air travel services and noted the lack of a quality airport during the country’s history as one of the major setbacks to the development of the country as a whole.