FOM distributes leaflets urging to boycott Maldivian resorts

A UK online news site has said that UK-based voluntary organisation Friends of Maldives (FOM) has distributed leaflets urging to boycott several resorts of the Maldives. The leaflets stipulate that Maldives is no longer a safe travel destination.

FOM is run by close friend of former President Nasheed, David Hardingham.

The UK online news Travel Weekly said that the leaflets were distributed to members of the UK media who attended the press conference conducted by the Maldives Ministry of Tourism. The leaflets mentioned several resorts related to the current government and advised UK tourists against travel these islands. According to the leaflets Maldives is no longer safe, as the current government imposes serious violence on protesters.

Minister Adheeb who is currently in London said via an SMS that he witnessed former Maldivian Ambassador to the UK Farahanaz Faisal, Naushad and David Hardingham outside the Park Plaza Hotel where the press conference was held, handing out leaflets to journalists.

“The press conference was not affected by that. The journalists did not seem bothered. The press conference was a success,” Minister said.

Travel Weekly said regarding yesterday’s press conference that the Minister invited journalists to visit Maldives and feel the atmosphere themselves. He hoped to reach the target of 1 million tourists.

“You can visit Maldives and ask Maldivians what the situation is. I am also trying to arrange more charter flights to Maldives,” Adheeb said.

UK citizen David Hardingham has called to boycott tourism in Maldives on a previous occasion as well. In addition to President Nasheed’s friend, he is also former Maldivian Consulate to Salesbury. He is the founder of FOM, and was deported from Maldives by President Gayoom’s regime.