Minister of Tourism, Moosa Zameer has called on every individual to work together to challenge the negative campaigns and wrongful accusations towards Maldivian tourism sector. He made the call at the opening ceremony of the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM), Hotelier Summit 2017 held at Dharubaaruge Convention Centre.
At the opening ceremony of the first edition of Travel Trade Maldives (TTM), the Minister of Tourism reflected on the importance of such fairs to tackle the negative campaigns towards the tourism industry, noting that these negative campaigns are carried out by certain people to deteriorate the tourism sector of the country. The government has several pivotal projects to enhance the tourism industry of the country, the Minister added.
Regarding the expansion project of the Velana International Airport, Minister Zameer noted Maldives would be able to cater over seven million tourists annually, after the conclusion of the project. Government is working to increase the domestic transport network to ease the domestic transportation of tourists, Minister Zameer also said. Various activities are being carried by the government to enhance the security and safety of the tourism sector, he added. The Minister thanked private companies for initiating an event for the enhancement of the tourism sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director of Business Development of Maldives Getaways, Dr. Hussain Sunny Umar stated that the fair is organised to increase tourist arrival.
The two day International Travel Trade Show of Maldives aims to help local tourism industry reach the target of two million tourists and over USD3.5 billion in receipts by 2020. The fair is aimed to act as a platform whereby stakeholders of the industry would meet in one place to discuss the future of tourism in the Maldives. It offers a solution-oriented platform that facilitates face-to-face meetings, networking activities, and information exchange amongst the most elite assemblage of hotel owners and general managers.