Maldives welcomes millionth tourist of 2018

The Maldives Tourism Ministry said on Monday that 1 million tourists had arrived in the island country so far this year and the millionth tourist, who arrived on Sunday, was awarded a grand welcome at the airport.

The male tourist, who arrived in Maldives with his wife for their honeymoon, was awarded a free resort holiday, seaplane travel and an internet package, Deputy Tourism Minister Hussain Lirar said.

The couple were greeted and welcomed with cultural activities at the country's main international airport.

The Maldives Tourism Ministry has been marking and celebrating the arrival of its millionth tourist since 2015.

According to official figures, 848,847 tourists arrived in the Maldives this year till July, a 10.1 percent increase from the 770,715 tourists that arrived during the same period in 2017.