Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has highlighted the critical role that youth can play in the development of tourism, encouraging them to pursue business opportunities in the sector. He made the call during a panel discussion held in celebration of National Tourism Day, which included several senior tourism officials.
Speaking at the panel discussion, Minister Faisal noted the government's ongoing efforts to expand tourism across the country and stressed the importance of young individuals being well-informed about the sector. He also called for equal opportunities for both local and foreign investors in tourism, urging the youth to be bold, enterprising, and proactive in seizing these opportunities.
Tourism pioneers Hussain Afeef and Mohamed Umar Manik also spoke at the event. Afeef pointed out that no matter how many financial institutions are built or how many resources are provided, real progress depends on the engagement of the younger generation. Manik added that there are countless opportunities in tourism that young individuals can capitalise on, emphasising the potential for growth.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Ibrahim Shiuree noted the wide range of tourism types that could be introduced to the Maldives, including sports tourism, educational tourism, health tourism, and film tourism. He highlighted the need to establish infrastructure for film tourism and suggested organising summer camps during the off-season to promote educational tourism.
The panel also featured discussions on the challenges facing the tourism sector in the Maldives and strategies to address them, as the leaders in the field explored ways to advance and expand the sector.