Maldives welcomed its first tourist of the year on Saturday; Georgina Canning from the United Kingdom, who came to the island nation on holiday with her husband. 
Georigina had visited Maldives with her husband around the same time last year, spending 12 days at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives.  
Georgina (C) is welcomed upon arrival at the Velana International Airport on January 1, 2022. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Hayyan)
The couple had attempted a second visit to Maldives last year, but failed, due to travel restrictions. 
They will be staying in Maldives for 11 days this year. 
The couple said they were delighted and honored to be the first tourists to visit Maldives in the year 2022.  
Georgina is welcomed upon arrival at the Velana International Airport on January 1, 2022. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Hayyan)
They hope to visit Maldives again next year. 
Georigina and her husband received a warm welcome upon arrival at the Velana International Airport on Saturday morning. They also received multiple gifts from various sponsors. 
Maldives, crowned the World’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards in 2021 for the second year in the running – is rebounding faster than initially projected. The island nation received more tourist arrivals than projected, passing the 1.3 million mark on December 27. 
Georgina (C) is welcomed upon arrival at the Velana International Airport on January 1, 2022. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Hayyan)
Maldives is set to celebrate 50 years to its tourism industry this year.