The Maldives welcomes its first tourist of the year 2023.

The first tourist arrived in the Maldives on Etihad Airways flight EY278 in the early morning hours at 6:05 am.

The first tourist has been identified as a Russian National named Nikolai Stratichuk. According to MMPRC, this is his first to the Maldives and is set to stay at Reethi Faru Resort. 

Nikolai was welcomed at a special ceremony held at Velana International Airport by senior officials of MMPRC, MACL, Ministry of Tourism and Maldives Immigration. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the CEO and Managing Director of MMPRC Thoyyib Mohamed stated last year was a very successful year for the Maldive's tourism industry and highlighted that the Maldives has won several awards last year. 

Last year, the Maldives had a record-high number of tourist arrival with 1.6 million tourists arriving in the country. The government had earlier stated that it plans to bring more tourists this year as well which will surpass last year's tourist arrivals.