Maldives welcomes one millionth tourist of 2022

The one millionth tourist to visit the Maldives this year is a Czech Republic national.

Daniela Kilnarova, 29, arrived in the Maldives on a Qatar Airways flight this morning. She arrived in the country for a holiday at Robinson Club Noonu Resort, Noonu Atoll.

Daniela said that this is the third time she has arrived in the Maldives and that the Maldives is one of the best holiday destinations for relaxing. She said she was delighted to be selected as the one millionth tourist on her first trip to the Maldives after the pandemic.

"Im surprised. I never expected to receive such an honor and it's a great pleasure to be selected as the one millionth tourist," Daniela said.

Daniela first arrived in the Maldives 10 years ago and spent her holiday at Kuredu Island Resort and Spa. On her second visit to the country she stayed at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu resort.

The airport holds a special event to designate the one millionth tourist arrival to the Maldives every year since the number of tourist arrivals began to cross the millionth mark. Daniela was presented with a special gift from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL).

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State for Tourism Ahmed Solih said he hopes the government will achieve the target of 1.6 million tourist arrivals set for the year this November.

"The target of one million tourist arrivals had been achieved during the same period in 2019. This shows the efforts made to develop the industry," he said.

Managing Director of MMPRC Thoyyib Mohamed said that the arrival of one million tourists in the middle of the year was a great achievement when global competitive destinations were open. He said that the Maldivian tourism industry will grow further in the future.

Thoyyib said that amidst different crises around the globe, Maldivian tourism is being promoted and advertised keeping in mind the source markets which will respond positively.

MMPRC has held activities to promote the Maldives in 12 countries so far this year. Fifteen more events will be held in foreign countries during the remaining four months of 2022.

The Maldives recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals in 2019; a total of 1.7 million arrivals.

The highest number of tourist arrivals to country so far in 2022 are from India with a total of 140,000 arrivals. The second highest were recorded from the UK at 110,000. The third highest number of tourists arrived from Russia, with a total of 103,000 arrivals from the country.