As the New Year approaches, the Maldives has seen a significant influx of tourists, with two large cruise liners currently docked near Malé.

The Oceania Riviera, registered in the Marshall Islands, arrived today and will remain docked near Malé for a day before departing for Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship, with a capacity of 2,000 passengers, brought its guests to explore the capital city on excursions. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Sky, registered in the Bahamas, arrived yesterday and will stay for two days. The vessel, carrying 1,872 passengers, is scheduled to depart tonight.

This peak tourism season also sees a rise in visitors arriving by air. Private jet arrivals at Velana International Airport have increased by 8% compared to last year, with 148 jets landing this December alone.

The Maldives has achieved a historic milestone this year, surpassing 2 million annual tourist arrivals for the first time. While tourists flock to the islands, many Maldivians are traveling abroad, coinciding with the school holiday season.

With a robust mix of air and sea arrivals, the Maldives continues to solidify its reputation as a top global travel destination.