Maldives has set a new tourism record with the fastest-ever arrival of one million tourists within a calendar year, marked today by the arrival of Kajal Singh from India.

Kajal, visiting the Maldives for the first time, arrived at Malahani Kuda Bandos Resort for her honeymoon. She was warmly welcomed at Velana International Airport by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer and MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree attended the ceremony held in her honour.

Speaking at the event, Minister Zameer said the milestone reflects the success of ongoing efforts to promote the Maldives as a leading global destination. He attributed the achievement to the country's natural beauty and the renowned hospitality of Maldivians, which continue to attract travellers from around the world.

The Minister also extended heartfelt appreciation to the workers of the tourism industry, acknowledging their key role in reaching this milestone.

In his remarks, Shiuree said reaching one million tourists so early in the year is a strong indicator that the Government's target of 2.3 million visitors for 2025 is within reach. He credited the accomplishment to collaborative efforts between MMPRC and tourism stakeholders and stressed the importance of continued work to maintain the Maldives’ status as the world’s leading destination.

As part of the celebration, Kajal Singh planted a tree in Hulhumalé at the invitation of the Tourism Ministry. The planting forms part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s national programme to plant five million trees.