Maldives Sets Sights on Two Million Tourists in 2024

The Maldives Ministry of Tourism is aiming high, with plans to attract two million tourists in the upcoming year through strategic promotions targeting new markets. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal, speaking on PSM's "Raajje Miadhu" program, acknowledged global hesitancy attributed to conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas.
Minister Faisal outlined ongoing discussions with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) to collaborate on tourism promotion activities aimed at new markets. The focus is on exploring fresh avenues to increase tourist arrivals, expressing confidence in the capability of MMPRC's Managing Director and emphasizing a collaborative effort.
Aligned with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's vision, the ministry is establishing a special tourism council and actively working on diversifying tourism experiences. Plans include a detailed paper on eco-tourism and heritage tourism initiatives.
Having surpassed the 1.8 million tourist target set for the current year, the Maldives tourism landscape looks promising. Russia leads the charts with 200,000 tourists, followed closely by India with 199,000 and China with 183,000 arrivals. Despite a slight dip in average duration this month, tourists continue to explore the Maldives, spending an average of 7.4 days.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's vision and the Ministry of Tourism's proactive approach signal a resilient tourism sector, aiming for continued growth in 2024.