The Maldives has achieved a historic milestone in its tourism industry with the arrival of the 2 millionth tourist of 2024. Astrid Dirnegger, an Austrian national, arrived in the Maldives on December 26, 2024, marking the fulfillment of the ambitious target set by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this year. This visit marks Dirnegger’s third trip to the Maldives, and she is vacationing with her family at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo.
This achievement underscores the continued strength and growth of the Maldivian tourism sector. Earlier in 2024, the Maldives witnessed a record-breaking February, welcoming over 217,394 tourist arrivals, the highest number ever recorded in a single month. The month also saw a new daily record, with 10,214 arrivals on February 10.
“Welcoming our 2 millionth tourist of 2024 is a source of pride for the nation and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire tourism industry. This milestone is a result of the collaborative efforts of our stakeholders and the industry as a whole. I extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this success,” said Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).
The year 2024 has been transformative for the Maldives tourism industry, marked by significant expansions into new markets, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bangladesh. MMPRC has also ventured into emerging tourism segments such as sports, film, and medical tourism. Among the key highlights of the year was the successful organisation of the inaugural ‘DATA 2024’ conference, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, which brought together industry leaders and data experts from around the globe.
Another notable event was the Visit Maldives Tourism Symposium 2024, which convened policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to discuss critical topics like sustainability, health and safety, and innovative solutions for the industry’s challenges. Additionally, the launch of the Visit Maldives Club in August 2024 and the announcement of the upcoming ‘Burunu Boma’ sport fishing competition for 2025 have further bolstered the industry’s appeal.
On the global stage, the Maldives retained its title as the World’s Leading Destination for the fifth consecutive year and earned the accolade of World’s Leading Green Destination for the first time, solidifying its reputation as a premier travel destination.MMPRC is geared up for an even more successful year in 2025, with multiple thrilling events and initiatives. Upcoming thrilling events for next year include the World’s Biggest Giveaway 2025, an year-long global initiative, as well as the APOS Maldives event. Alongside these, MMPRC will also continue to promote the Maldives as the World’s Leading Destination and the best place for a vacation for all travellers throughout the world.
