A year for incumbent govt: Faisal’s vision for tourism includes a 5-star training resort

The current administration has achieved many successes in the Maldives’ main economic industry, tourism, as it marks one year since assuming office. While some of these successes did headline in mainstream media, Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has a different view regarding the biggest success achieved by the tourism industry in the past year.

In an exclusive interview to Sun, Minister Faisal shared the successes Maldives has achieved in tourism over the past year. Maldives which breaks records on the tourism-front annually had followed suit in the past year including recording the highest single-day arrivals and highest monthly arrivals; both of which headlined.

“When it comes arrivals, Maldives recorded the highest single-day arrivals in this year’s February, marking over 10,000 arrivals in one day. This is a record. Then the highest single-month arrivals was also recorded in this year’s February at 21,8000. That is also a record. In addition to this, the one-millionth tourist arrival mark was reached the quickest this year as well. That was on June 26^th,” he detailed.

Despite these nameworthy records, Minister Faisal said they were not the biggest successes the industry achieved in the past year. He named the biggest success achieved in this regard as the development of youths for the tourism industry.

The Minister noted that Maldives National University (MNU) was contracted to develop a five-star resort and a hotel school at Hulhimendhoo near L. Maamendhoo on November 9^th as pledged by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

“I believe this to be the most important thing a government can do for Maldives’ tourism industry. This is a very special pledge of the President,” he said.

Minister Faisal shared his vision for this training resort. On this note, he said upon successful completion of the project, Maldives’ hospitality industry will be strengthened and people from across the world will travel to training resort for their education.

“I want to see students travel to the island to complete hospitality industry courses and then proceed to work with prominent international brands. I believe this will be a significant aspect where educational tourism can be extensively explored,” he said.

Speaking further, the Minister highlighted the successes achieved with respect to the top tourist markets to the Maldives at present. In this regard, the highest number of tourist arrivals so far this year is from China – which is a 51.5 percent increase in arrivals.

Second highest number of tourist arrivals is from Russia – marking 3.4 percent increase in arrivals. Third is the UK, marking a 16.3 percent increase in arrivals.

Minister Faisal noted that arrivals from India, which was the top tourist market last year, plummeted significantly early this year subsequent to which crucial efforts were undertaken to increase arrivals from the market.

In this regard, he underscored that President Muizzu, and he himself, had traveled to India. In addition to this, Minister Faisal said Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) conducted a roadshow in India; an effort spearheaded by the President.

“I also undertook an official visit to India during which I met and held discussions with India’s Tourism Minister and Civil Aviation Minister. A huge positive change was witnessed in the market following the President’s visit to India to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Indian Prime Minister. Moreover, the President undertook another official visit to India as well. We held a tourism event there with the participation of a number of Indian celebrities,” he detailed.

The result of these efforts as per the Minister, is an increase in arrivals from India which has now exceeded 100,000.

The greatest honor to the Maldivian industry is being named ‘World’s Leading Destination’ four years in a row. Minister Faisal highlighted some of the efforts undertaken to defend the title this year while expressing confidence in achieving the feat.

“I am very hopeful, our MMPRC team undertook significant efforts to secure votes for it. The bid is also supported by many Maldivian citizens and in this regard, artists have made video clips to garner votes. Hence, I remain hopeful,” he said.

Minister Faisal also assured that Maldives will reach the two million tourist arrival goal set by the government.

“I am sure that we will reach the two million tourist arrival mark in the last week of December, by the will of Almighty,” he said.

The Minister attributed the tourism industry’s successes in the past year to the workers in the industry. Therewith, he recognized their hard work and extended gratitude to them.