Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has stated that Maldives is now a global example in the field of sustainable tourism. The statement was made by the minister during the Maldives Media Meet press conference organised by Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) in the ITB China Fair.
MMPRC announced that Maldives has been selected as the Official Destination Partner for ITB China 2024 on a previous stance. The ITB China, a prominent B2B trade show focusing exclusively on the Chinese travel market, will take place from May 27-29 this year at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center.
Addressing the media, VIP Speaker of the press briefing, Minister Faisal observed that the nation is recovering from the aftermath of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The minister emphasised that the primary objective of the administration is to preserve and promote tourism, highlighting the Maldives' global recognition as a leader in ecotourism.
Furthermore, Minister Faisal stressed the significance of minimising the negative impacts of global economic shocks and health catastrophes. The minister affirmed that efforts are underway to facilitate access to loans in the tourism sector, noting that the retail loans will be accessible with low interest rates, following the establishment of the Development Bank.
During the conference, Maldives and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish digital payment networks. The MoU was signed by Deputy Managing Director of MMPRC Zihunee Rasheed and County Manager of Weixin Pay Etienne Ng.
Following the signing of the MoU, MMPRC expressed confidence that leveraging Weixin Pay's marketing activities will bolster Chinese tourist arrivals, reinforcing the Maldives' status as a preferred destination. Additionally, MMPRC highlighted the press conference's significance in promoting Maldives' tourism industry in the Chinese market through popular media platforms. It elaborated on the nation's appeal to Chinese tourists and shared insights on ongoing promotional efforts within the industry.