Maldives have participated in a regional meeting held by World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The regional meeting held in Thimphu, Bhutan from June 3-5 was attended by Minister of State for Tourism Dr. Ahmed Solih.
A high-level dialogue at the UNWTO meeting called for consultation with local communities when planning policies to support sustainable development tourism. Meanwhile, during the meeting Maldives was elected as Chair of the UNWTO South Asia.
Maldives was elected as chair of UNWTO Commission for South Asia for the forthcoming biennium. The result of the vote will be ratified during the UNWTO's 23rd General Assembly to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia on September 9. Maldives last served as chair of the commission was during the 1995-1997 period.
UNWTO Commission for South Asia is one of six regional commissions established in 1975 as subsidiary organs of the General Assembly. The UNWTO Commission for South Asia consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.