The Maldives welcomed more than 570 visitors on 8 March with the arrival of the cruise ship MS Insignia from the Seychelles. The arrival of the cruise ship highlights the country's strong appeal for cruise travellers, with numerous liners making stops in the archipelago each year.
The MS Insignia brought 576 tourists and 406 crew members to the Maldivian shores. Recognising the sector's importance to the economy, the current administration has intensified efforts to strengthen cruise ship tourism. To facilitate this growth, the government has embarked on developing three specialised harbours across different regions to accommodate cruise ships.
The Maldives Association of Yacht Agents (MAYA), an organisation responsible for overseeing yacht-related activities in the country, has announced that 12 cruise ships are scheduled to visit the country this year.
With the government's focus on increasing cruise ship tourism, overall tourist arrivals in the Maldives have continued to rise. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the nation has welcomed over 481,000 visitors so far this year, reflecting a positive trend in tourism growth.