Visit Maldives warmly welcomed the first visitor of 2021 at the Velana International Airport on 1st January 2021.
Arriving on Qatar Airways (QR 674), the visitor is a German national, Jochen Paul Karch, who was greeted by officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Maldives Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
The Maldives Border Miles loyalty program has also been launched, to allow tourists to register for the program and start earning points by traveling to the Maldives from 1st January 2021 onwards. The points earned will be based on the duration of your stay, visits to celebrate special occasions, visits on local occasions of the Maldives, frequency of visits, and other aspects. The lucky first visitor was granted the first Maldives Border Miles loyalty card (Aida, Bronze tier) by the Controller General of Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Hussain, which entitles him to countless benefits and rewards with each border crossing.
A holiday voucher was also gifted to Mr.Karch for a 7-night stay at a double room on a full board basis at Sun Island Resort & Spa, which was presented by the Managing Director of Maldives, Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed. Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism and MACL also presented him with special gifts.
The Managing Director of Visit Maldives, Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed, remarked, “We are extremely pleased to greet the first visitor of 2021. After a hectic year, we are thrilled to have entered this stage where we are welcoming the first of many visitors. We want to ensure everyone that we will work hard to promote and market the destination and reach our targets for the year. Thank you, everyone and we wish you a very Happy New Year!”
Visit Maldives will continue marketing the destination with increased vigor and effort in the upcoming year, and 343 major activities have been planned which includes both offline and online campaigns. The main objective of these activities is to increase tourist arrival numbers to pre-pandemic levels, reorient the perception of the Maldives solely as a luxury and honeymoon destination, and utilize international recognition received during this pivotal moment. Further to this, importance will be placed upon developing and promoting local tourism, culture, and heritage of Maldives.
