The current administration has reached it's 1.5 million tourist milestone, achieving this year's target for arrivals to the country.

Reaching the 1.5 million tourist milestone by the end of the year is a target of the current administration, and was mentioned in President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's inaugural address.

The country's 1.5 millionth tourist, Marina Kazakova from Russia, was welcomed on Sunday morning at Velana International Airport by Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed.

The welcoming ceremony included cultural dances and a boduberu (traditional drums) performance organised by Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

As the country's 1.5 millionth tourist, Marina was gifted with complimentary return tickets to Maldives by MMPRC and holiday sponsored by Mirihi Island Resort in addition to a special certificate by the government and an assortment of local crafts.