Tourism minister Moosa Zameer speaks at the Tourism Industry Forum. PHOTO: HUSSAIN SHAYAAH/MIHAARU
The Maldives commenced a major forum on tourism development with top officials of the industry on Tuesday.
The forum hosted by the tourism industry at Dharubaaruge convention centre in capital Male was inaugurated by tourism minister Moosa Zameer.
Speaking at the forum, the minister stated that the objective of the forum is to exchange ideas, information and experience between statesmen and top executives of the tourism sector on how to further develop the industry.
Minister Zameer said the forum will shed light on three main categories related to tourism, with development of environment, youth and human resources, and aviation.
“I hope that the information dispensed at this forum will prove fruitful in determining the policies required to improve the tourism sector,” he said.
Stating that tourism in the Maldives is advancing rapidly, the minister declared that more resorts will be unveiled over the next five years which will bring in more international brands to the archipelago.
“We want to ensure that employees for those [resorts] at the time of their unveiling are fully trained. As such, we’re training people for the tourism industry under a collaboration between the education ministry and TVET (Technical, Vocational Education and Training).”
The minister added that the government has also signed agreements with some atoll councils to train youth in the atoll islands.
Minister Zameer also related information on the ongoing development of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) at the forum.
“In addition to that airport [INIA], we’re also developing more domestic airports to facilitate easy transportation for tourists,” said Zameer.
Shedding light on the tourism marketing master plan, the minister stated that the plan will be framed to increase the number of tourists to the Maldives. Accordingly, projects to determine the current condition of the tourism market and seek more markets will commence next year, said the minister.