The Maldives has welcomed the first tourist visitor of 2023 with a special ceremony at the Velana International Airport on Sunday morning (1 January).
Nikolai Stratichuk from Russia, who arrived on an Etihad Airways flight around 6:05 a.m with his family, was greeted by senior officials from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation together with executives from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
A five-night stay at Reethi Faru Resort was among special gifts conferred upon Stratichuk, who arrived on his first visit to the Maldives.
“MMPRC and the Maldives Tourism Industry’s concerted drive to provide visitors with options to relax and rejuvenate after the effects of the global pandemic bore fruit as hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to the Maldives with the assurances of a safe vacation,” said MMPRC CEO Thoyyib Mohamed.
“Thanks to ‘natural social distancing’ as an archipelago nation, the safety of holidaymakers in the Maldives is further enhanced under our distinctive ‘one island, one resort’ concept and close attention to covid safety guidelines at every turn. This past year has been one of immense success to the Maldives, winning award after award. We welcome the first visitor of 2023 with a smile on our face, and the aim in our hearts to maintain the successes of last year.”
