Tourist arrivals from traditional markets plummeted due to failure to promote tourism: MP Siyam

Leader of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has said that tourist arrival numbers from traditional tourism markets, or European countries, plummeted due to failure to carry out adequate promotional activities to sustain those markets.

Tourism expert Siyam made this remark while speaking at an event held at Thaajuddin School last night by the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) coalition.

“Tourist arrivals from European markets have gone down more than ever before. Maldivians are not able to enjoy the real benefits, because of negligence in promoting tourism,” he said.

Siyam said that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom will make efforts to promote tourism, and ensure that the people enjoy the full benefits of this industry.

Speaking about the present economic situation of the country, Siyam said that if the economic situation deteriorates beyond a certain point, there would be no option left but to cut down costs, and efforts must be made afterwards to increase income.

He said that the government will work towards improving the economic situation, but this is not something that can be achieved in a short period of time.

Siyam said that previous governments pledged to provide housing for people, but never delivered those promises.

“They promised to provide housing to get votes. The projects were never implemented,” he said.

He further said that the society has lost discipline, and that values such as respecting one another no longer exist among the people in the Maldives.

“Children no longer respect adults. Adult are no longer kind to children. There’s no compassion or love for the elderly. Children no longer respect their parents. Yameen’s government will work towards improving this situation,” he said.

Siyam thanked everyone, in the islands and in Male’, who worked with the presidential election campaign. He assured that they have made an important decision.

“Maldivians are able to think ahead. They decided today that they want to eliminate poverty. They decided that they want wealth and self-sufficiency. God willing, over the next five years the people of the Maldives will experience progress like never before,” he said.