Maldives welcomed 2 million tourists in 2024

In a landmark achievement, the Maldives welcomed its 2 millionth tourist of 2024 on December 26, cementing its position as a premier global travel destination. Austrian national Astrid Dirnegger, visiting the Maldives for the third time with her family, was greeted with a grand ceremony at Velana International Airport. The event was attended by dignitaries, including Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal, representatives from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), and other key officials.

The milestone comes as the island nation celebrates a banner year for its tourism industry, with visitor numbers surpassing the 1,747,370 recorded in 2023. 

Dirnegger and her family were welcomed with fanfare and presented with special gifts from MMPRC, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, and Customs Service. As part of the celebration, the family was awarded a six-day stay at the luxurious Saii Lagoon Maldives.

Government initiatives driving growth

The 2 millionth tourist milestone was part of President Ibrahim Solih’s ambitious vision for 2024. At the start of the year, the government launched a campaign to attract more visitors, leveraging the Maldives’ reputation for luxury, natural beauty, and hospitality. Key strategies included enhanced marketing efforts through MMPRC, targeted promotional campaigns in emerging markets, and strategic partnerships with global travel operators.

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A rewarding year

The Maldives achieved several milestones in 2024. It received a record-breaking 217,394 visitors in February alone. And it continued to shine on the global stage in 2024, receiving multiple accolades at the prestigious World Travel Awards, including the titles of World’s Leading Destination and Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination. 

These achievements highlight the Maldives’ resilience and adaptability in a competitive global tourism market. It underscores the effectiveness of its strategies in maintaining a strong presence amidst evolving traveller preferences.

Building on its achievements in 2024, the Maldives is poised to aim even higher in 2025, with aspirations to exceed last year’s record-breaking performance. If the trends continue, the island nation is on track to further cement its status as one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations.