Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) on Thursday welcomed the first international tourist to arrive in the Maldives in 2026.
The first visitor of the year was identified as German national Thomas Andreas Hellweger, who arrived in the Maldives on an Etihad Airways flight. The 54-year-old travelled with his wife, marking their first visit to the Maldives.
A special welcoming ceremony was held at the arrival terminal of Velana International Airport (VIA), where Hellweger was received by MACL Deputy Chief Officer for Passenger Services, Ali Musthaq. MACL presented the couple with a commemorative gift to mark the occasion.
MACL reaffirmed its commitment to delivering high-quality services to all airlines and passengers travelling to and from the Maldives.
According to statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism, the Maldives recorded 2.24 million tourist arrivals as of December 30, with China emerging as the largest source market.
