Maldives reaches 1 million tourist arrivals mark

The Maldives has achieved the target of 1 million tourists for 2013.

Speaking at a press conference today, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adheeb said that by the end of yesterday, tourist arrivals for 2013 had reached 1,000,203.

“We achieved our target on 24 November; I’d like to share this great news with you,” he said.

This year, tourist arrivals were highest from Asian and European countries.

Adheeb said that tireless efforts were made to achieve this target amid serious political challenges, and that a higher target will be set for next year.

He said that a request has been made for a budget of MVR 50 million to MVR 100 million for tourism promotion.

He said that expenditure on tourism is an investment, and that several dollars will be earned for every one dollar invested in the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, several groups led by Maldivians have called to boycott Maldives tourism this year as well.

International Spokesperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Hamid Abdul Gafoor, for example, called to boycott Maldives tourism in an interview to Agence France Press (AFP).