Maldivian VP: We want to expand tourism to the north and south of Maldives

The Maldivian administration’s policy is to expand tourism to the north and south of Maldives and establish necessary support services – including sustainable and affordable air and sea transportation, states Vice President Faisal Naseem.

He made the remark while speaking at the sixth edition of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2022, held at Adhaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi on Friday night.

Faisal began his speech by thanking the organizers of SATA.

Since its launch in 2016, SATA has become a unique platform celebrating the finest in South Asian hospitality, he said.

He said that the six South Asian countries represented in the SATA Awards have the best to offer in the world.

VP Faisal highlighted how the tourism industry began in the Maldives 50 years ago.

It was the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of a few young pioneers who, against all odds, overcame many challenges and introduced tourism to the country, he said.

Maldives has since established itself as a leading travel destination. It won the WTA World’s Leading Destination Award for two years in a row, in 2020 and 2021.

VP Faisal said that the country’s winning characteristic was genuine Maldivian hospitality, which is in every Maldivian’s true nature.

He said that the warm, friendly, and generous reception and the mindset to provide guests with the best possible holiday experience is what makes Maldives unique.

VP Faisal also shed light on the hurdles the travel industry had to go through due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially the precautionary measures the administration had been forced to take including closing its borders and temporarily closing resorts and guesthouse operations, which had a negative impact on the country's economy.

He said said that it was the leadership of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the collective effort of the government and the tourism industry helped the country through the hardships and made it possible to reopen borders and invite travelers back to the country.

VP Faisal thanked stakeholders in the tourism industry for their assistance and cooperation, and stated that the industry's support was critical on the Maldives' road to recovery.

He also spoke of the administration’s plans to expand tourism to the north and south of Maldives and establish necessary support services – including sustainable and affordable air and sea transportation.

At Friday’s ceremony, VP Faisal presented SATA 2022 Awards to five professionals who did remarkable work in the tourism and hospitality industry.