Colombo, Nov 26 (IANS): The Maldives has reached its tourism target of one million arrivals for the current year, according to statistics released by the government

Maldives Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adheeb said that by the end of last Sunday, tourist arrivals for 2013 had reached 1,000,203, Xinhua reported citing local media Tuesday.

"We achieved our target on Nov 24, I'd like to share this great news with you," he said.

This year, tourist arrivals were highest from Asian and European countries.

Adheeb said tireless efforts were made to achieve this target amid serious political challenges, and that a higher target will be set for next year.

He said expenditure on tourism is an investment, and that several dollars will be earned for every one dollar invested in the tourism industry.

Therefore, the Maldivian government is attempting to double tourism-related investment of $6.6 million.

Tourism accounts for 70 percent of the Maldives' gross domestic product (GDP).

Most tourists arrived from Asian countries whilst eastern European tourists too majorly contributed to the figure, Adeeb said.

The number of tourist arrivals from Europe is gradually improving, he added.

The minister hailed the arrival of over a million tourists as a major achievement to the industry despite several obstacles.

Adeeb noted the efforts of tourism promotion and new airlines to Maldives as the factors which helped the country to reach the milestone.

“It's a major victory for the whole country. This victory has been made possible amidst boycott campaigns and other such obstacles. Resort owners, ministry employees and MMPRC (Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation) have worked really hard for this," Adeeb said.

Several events have been planned that will be held next week at the airport to celebrate the achievement.