The Maldives has officially recorded its one-millionth tourist arrival for the year 2026. The milestone visitor, Almutena Esparza from Spain, arrived at Velana International Airport on a Qatar Airways flight on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ibrahim Ameen, congratulated the milestone visitor and highlighted the resilience of the nation’s tourism sector. While the one-millionth mark was achieved earlier on June 7 last year, this year’s milestone was reached on June 20, following the impact of regional instability in the Middle East on international travel and aviation.

Minister Ameen attributed the success to the dedicated efforts of industry stakeholders and airline partners. He also extended his gratitude to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for his administration’s proactive measures and support in navigating the challenges currently facing the global tourism industry.

The government of the Maldives has set an ambitious target of attracting 2.5 million tourists by the end of 2026. Minister Ameen expressed his confidence that the Maldives will maintain its position as a premier global destination and achieve a successful year for the industry.