Tourism Minister Thanks Tourism Workers And Outlines Vision For Industry
Marking World Tourism Day, Maldives Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal highlighted the critical role of tourism workers and laid out the government’s vision for the industry’s future, addressing both achievements and upcoming challenges.
Faisal opened his address via the state broadcaster PSM by expressing deep gratitude towards those working in the tourism sector, particularly resort employees who spend extended periods away from their families.
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“The people working in resorts away from their homes are doing the most important, hard work of our tourism. I sincerely thank them for their efforts,” he said. His acknowledgment of these workers underlines their central role in the success of the nation’s largest industry.
This year’s theme, Tourism and Peace, prompted Faisal to call for reflection on how the actions of Maldivians influence the way tourists perceive the country. While the call for mindfulness is a continuous message by successive governments, it also comes at a time when the tourism sector continues to grapple with environmental concerns, particularly with increasing development in sensitive areas.
Faisal also called on the younger generation to remain engaged with the tourism industry, expressing his hope that they would one day take leadership roles within the sector. “I hope to see young Maldivians get into tourism, invest in the industry and in about fifteen years time become people who own two or three resorts,” he remarked.
A key highlight of the Minister’s address was the planned opening of the new terminal at Velana International Airport, which he described as the most urgent priority for the tourism industry.
The terminal is expected to be operational by December 2024, with the full expansion of the airport completed by mid-2025.
“This expansion will allow us to cater to 7.5 million tourists annually,” Faisal said. The upgrade is expected to attract new airlines and expand the Maldives’ reach to different markets, particularly during the low season.
The government’s target of increasing annual tourist arrivals to 3.5 million or 4 million within five years was reiterated by Faisal, who pointed out that 1.5 million tourists had already visited the Maldives this year. He called on industry leaders to capitalise on the expanded airport infrastructure to increase visitor numbers, raise occupancy rates, and boost spending per tourist.
Faisal also drew attention to the financial contributions of the tourism sector, stating that it generates USD 4.5 billion in tax revenue annually now, with a target to increase this to USD 7 billion by 2027. While these figures underline the sector’s pivotal role in the national economy, critics argue that the economy being dependent on one industry makes Maldives vulnerable to financial and economic challenges.
Touching on the government’s housing policy, Faisal mentioned plans to allocate housing units for tourism workers, while also discussing President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to establish a hotel school. The school, intended to be developed on a separate island with the involvement of a tourist property, aims to provide training and opportunities for Maldivians in the tourism sector.
In his speech, Faisal expressed a desire to see more Maldivians in senior roles within the tourism sector, such as general managers and department heads.
“I want to see Maldivians dominate the high-paying jobs in resorts,” he said, noting that local workers are best positioned to protect the interests of their own communities. Achieving this goal will require efforts to build local capacity, as many senior positions in the sector are currently held by expatriates.
The Minister concluded by encouraging young people to take ownership of the tourism industry, stressing the importance of diligence and healthier habits.
