News Desk
VELANA, Maldives — In a vibrant celebration of tourism and sustainability, the Maldives welcomed its one millionth tourist of 2025, Kajal Singh and her husband, Indian citizens, who arrived on IndiGo Flight 6E 1131 to begin their honeymoon at the idyllic Malahini Kuda Bandos resort. The achievement, announced by the Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC), marks the first time the Maldives has reached this figure so early in a year, a testament to the island nation’s growing allure.
Tourism Minister Thorig Ibrahim greeted the couple at Velana International Airport with a ceremony that radiated pride and optimism. “This achievement reflects our commitment to showcasing Maldives’s authentic beauty,” Mr. Ibrahim said, crediting the hard work of those in the tourism sector. “Their dedication has made this possible, and we are deeply grateful.”
The event took on added significance as the couple participated in a tree-planting ceremony, contributing to President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu’s ambitious national initiative to plant five million trees during his term to combat climate change. With a sapling rooted in Hulhule, the gesture symbolized the Maldives’s push for sustainable tourism, blending celebration with environmental stewardship.
This achievement arrives earlier than in previous years, signaling the Maldives’s rising global appeal. In 2022, the millionth tourist arrived in August; in 2023, it was July; and last year, June. This year’s achievement on June 7 underscores the nation’s accelerating popularity.
Yet, the journey hasn’t been without challenges, particularly with India, a historically vital market. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, India topped the list of tourist source countries. But relations strained in November 2023 when the new government took office, and tensions peaked in January 2024 after several deputy ministers made derogatory remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people. The backlash sparked a boycott campaign in India, amplified by celebrities, causing India to slip to sixth place among the Maldives’s tourist markets. As of June 7, 56,429 Indian tourists had visited, compared to 100,000 from China, the current leader, in the same period. Despite this setback, the Maldives has taken proactive steps to restore its strong relationship with India.
The government and MMPRC have launched robust promotional campaigns, emphasizing the island’s pristine beaches, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. These efforts are paying off, with both sides expressing optimism about rebuilding connections.
Looking ahead, Maldives has set an ambitious goal of attracting 2.3 million tourists this year. The MMPRC and the Tourism Ministry are confident, buoyed by the early millionth arrival and the nation’s enduring charm. For the Singh couple, who stepped off the plane into a moment of history, the welcome was a reminder of the shared bonds between India and Maldives — bonds that, like the tree they planted, are poised to grow stronger.
