Male’, Maldives, 21st December 2023 – Celebrating a remarkable achievement, the Maldives welcomed its 1.8 millionth tourist for the year 2023, reaching the annual arrival target.
This significant milestone was commemorated through a vibrant ceremony organized by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives). On December 20, 2023, the esteemed 1.8 millionth visitor, Mr. Stefan Mathijs Hermans from the Netherlands, arrived on flight EK652 from Dubai, UAE. Mr. Hermans is embarking on his inaugural Maldivian adventure, enjoying a family holiday with his wife and two children. This exceptional year stands as the Maldives’ first to surpass 1.8 million tourist arrivals, representing the highest recorded numbers to date.
MMPRC hosted the special celebratory event at Velana International Airport to commemorate this momentous milestone, joined by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, and Maldives Customs Service. The Minister of Tourism, Honourable Ibrahim Faisal, joined the event today, in addition to the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO & MD) of MMPRC, Ms. Fathmath Thaufeeq. The CEO & MD of MACL, Mr. Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, the Head of Airport Division, Principal Immigration Officer of Maldives Immigration, Ms. Fathimath Majidha Hassan, and the Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Mahmood Riyaz, also joined the event celebrating this landmark achievement.
“We are immensely proud of this achievement and remain committed to reaching the targets set for our tourism industry for next year as well. Every visitor who arrives in the Maldives has their breath taken away by the natural beauty of our nation, the warm hospitality of our people, and the unmatched variety of places to stay and things to do. We are here to make sure that everyone everywhere in the world knows that their perfect holiday is waiting for them in the Sunny Side of Life,” said CEO & MD of MMPRC, Ms. Fathmath Thaufeeq.
Continuously conducting marketing campaigns throughout 2023, MMPRC utilized strategic marketing strategies and immersive promotional endeavors to showcase the Maldives’ unparalleled beauty and experiences. Employing a comprehensive 360-degree marketing approach, our initiatives resonated globally, ensuring the Maldives remained a prominent destination for travelers seeking unforgettable experiences. Over the year, a total of 349 marketing and promotional campaigns were executed, reaching an audience exceeding 6,011,389,743.
Significant collaborations included partnerships with esteemed brands like BBC Studios, CNN International Commercial, and Qatar Airways. An exceptional highlight was the successful Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023. Employing strategic promotional tactics aimed at enhancing visitor numbers during the low season via sustainable tourism experiences, the Maldives surpassed 1 million visitors within a mere seven months, further solidifying its status as a premier global destination.
The impactful results of these campaigns were acknowledged internationally at the World Travel Awards, where both MMPRC and the Maldives secured the night’s top honors. The Maldives earned the distinguished title of World’s Leading Destination for the fourth consecutive year and received the newly-introduced Global Tourism Resilience Award for adeptly recovering and thriving post-disruptions. MMPRC was acknowledged with the World’s Leading Tourist Board Award for the second consecutive year, recognizing its efforts in promoting the Maldives as a premier tourist destination.
