Maldives Tourism will rise over the challenges of the enviers- Maleeh

Mohamed Maleeh Jamal, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture has said that the Maldives Tourism industry will face the challenges of the enviers calling for the boycott of Maldivian resorts and will rise over these threats successfully.

Deputy Minister Maleeh said this at a press conference held yesterday at Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) to reveal the strategies for “Target: 1 million.”

According to yesterday’s press conference, up until end of March 2012, the Maldives tourism has achieved a positive growth figure of 3.3 percent compared to the same period of 2011.  This is a big accomplishment despite the challenges faced by the destination due to the recent incidents.

Headed by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, a panel comprising of the MMPRC Marketing Team provided an analysis of the most important markets to the destination, as well as the strategies in place as the destination gears up to achieve the important milestone of 1 millionth tourist by the end of 2012. Senior members of the tourism industry; Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and Maldives Association of Yacht Agents (MAYA) participated in the press briefing held yesterday at MMPRC. 

As highlighted by Deputy Minister Maleeh, each and every person in the country are positively affected by the dollar attained via tourism receipts, hence, all industry stakeholders need to work hand in hand to further develop the tourism industry of the Maldives.  Moreover, he also highlighted the importance of joint marketing campaigns with key stakeholders. In this regard, road shows in major markets are to be organised in collaboration with resorts, travel agents and liveaboards. 

2011 ended with a positive note with a record number of arrivals to the destination. Maldives registered 931,000 visitor arrivals, a 17.6 percent year-on-year increase.  According to the latest projections of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), international tourism will continue to flourish in 2012, with Asia leading the growth at four to six per cent.