Maldives Tourism Minister Engages in Talks with Italy to Boost Tourist Arrivals and Investment

Maldives Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has held discussions with Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè, focusing on increasing the flow of Italian tourists to the Maldives and attracting Italian investments into the tourism sector.

The meeting, disclosed by the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism, sought to explore collaborative efforts between the two nations. “We discussed further work that the two countries can do together,” Minister Faisal said, highlighting the potential for deepening tourism ties.

Italy has been a significant source of tourists to the Maldives, consistently ranking among the top 10 countries in terms of arrivals. Currently, Italy is positioned fifth on the list, with 108,000 Italian tourists visiting the Maldives so far in 2024. This is an improvement from last year when Italy ranked sixth. The discussions between the two ministers are aimed at ensuring continued growth in this segment, with a particular focus on how Italian investment could play a role in the Maldives’ tourism infrastructure.

The Maldives has seen 1.5 million tourists visit its shores as of this year, with the government targeting a total of 2 million arrivals by the end of 2024. Italy's contribution to this figure remains substantial, bolstering its position as a key European market for the island nation's thriving tourism industry.