COLOMBO, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said on Thursday that extensive work is underway to achieve the target of bringing 2.3 million tourists to the Maldives in 2025.

During his presidential address at the first sitting of the first session of the People's Majlis, the unicameral legislative body of Maldives, for 2025, Muizzu said that 2024 was a historic year as it marked the first time the Maldives received 2 million tourists, with visitor numbers increasing by 9 percent compared to 2023.

To meet its 2025 tourism target, the government plans to begin developing resorts in previously untouched atolls by offering investment incentives and other benefits.

To increase tourist arrivals, the government is working to expand the national airline's international routes to additional destinations, said the president.

Muizzu added that an additional wide-body aircraft will be acquired this October, enabling direct flights from the Maldives to select European destinations on the national carrier. ■