Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal recently met with Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè to discuss strategies aimed at increasing the number of Italian tourists visiting the Maldives.

During the meeting, Minister Faisal emphasized the importance of Italy as a key market for Maldivian tourism, noting that Italian visitors make up the fifth-largest group of tourist arrivals. 

So far this year, 108,463 Italian tourists have visited the Maldives, representing a 7.1% increase compared to the same period last year.

Maldives has a long-standing historical connection with Italy, with the first tourist to visit the Maldives in 1972 being an Italian citizen.

In addition to tourism, Minister Faisal also encouraged Italian investors to explore opportunities in the Maldives, further enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.