President: Benefits for the public from tourism is still low

Even though the tourism industry of the country is ages old, the benefits for the public from the industry are still relatively small, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated.

The President was speaking in an address regarding the World Tourism Day when he stated so. The President also stated that this was something that should end before focusing on how the industry has developed to a bed capacity of 47,114 from something that started with only 60 beds. The President reiterated that the sad fact about his development was that the benefits from the industry gained by the public remained relatively low.

President Solih then stated that the government was targeting to take advantage of the massive tourism industry and share its benefits with the public in a broader manner. 

New methods and sectors of tourism must also be introduced into the country to keep the development and growth of industry according to the [resident. He gave examples of Business, Cultural and Heritage, Sports and Medical tourism as some of the sectors of tourism that can be introduced or developed in the Maldives.

"These are types of tourism that are growing at a rapid rate throughout the world. I am positive that out of these, several types can be planted and grown in small island nations." said the President.

He also emphasized on the importance of protecting the natural beauty of the country and its heritage and culture since they are the pillars that tourism is dependent upon. 

"So protecting the environment and familiarising to these organisms is a responsibility on the shoulders of every Maldivian to maintain the Maldivian tourism industry," said the President. the President also noted that peace and prosperity in the Maldives were imperative to the tourism industry in the country.

The President also sent his warm felicitations to the businesses, organizations developing tourism and people in the industry on the occasion of World Tourism Day. He particularly noted that the Maldivian tourism industry was stabilized by two or three remarkable businessmen and thanked them for their dedicated work.