The Maldives welcomed its first tourist visitor of the year, Nikolai Stratichuk from Russia, with a special ceremony performed this morning at Velana International Airport (VIA).

Today marks the beginning of what promises to be a spectacular year for the Maldives tourism industry. The first visitor of the year arrived this morning at 6:05 a.m. on Etihad Airways aircraft EY278. Senior officials from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (Visit Maldives), as well as executives from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Immigration, and Maldives Airports Company Limited, greeted him (MACL). Nikolai’s family accompanied him on this journey. It’s his first trip to the Maldives.

The first tourist was given a five-night stay at the Reethi Faru Resort. Other unique presents, including those from MMPRC, the Ministry of Tourism, MACL, and Dhiraagu, were also bestowed to the first visitor of 2022.

The Maldives’ Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO and MD) expressed his joy at the honors and honors won over the last year. He stated the following:

“MMPRC and the Maldives Tourism Industry’s concerted drive to provide visitors with options to relax and rejuvenate after the effects of the global pandemic bore fruit as hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to the Maldives with the assurances of a safe vacation. Thanks to ‘natural social distancing’ as an archipelago nation, the safety of holidaymakers in the Maldives is further enhanced under our distinctive ‘one island, one resort’ concept and close attention to covid safety guidelines at every turn. This past year has been one of immense success to the Maldives, winning award after award. We welcome the first visitor of 2023 with a smile on our face, and the aim in our hearts to maintain the successes of last year.”

To promote the Maldives as a tourist destination, MMPRC organized 88 marketing campaigns, 42 fairs, 06 roadshows, 10 virtual events, 17 FAM trips, and 10 other events. The Maldives won the title of ‘World’s Leading Destination’ at the 2022 World Travel Awards, which was the biggest tribute to the success of these activities.

MMPRC secured the title of ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the first time in the nation’s history. The national tourist arrivals target set by H.E President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for the year 2022 was also reached in December. The Maldives welcomed the 1.6 millionth visitor for the Year 2022, two weeks ahead of the end of the year.