Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has briefed delegates at the Tourism Recovery Summit on the reopening of the Maldivian tourism sector.
During the opening penal discussion of the summit held in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, Minister Mausoom said the Government of the Maldives reopened the country for tourism after ensuring that the proper protocols were in place to provide the maximum safety possible for tourists, employees, and the public with minimum inconvenience. The minister said the government revised the arrival figures for 2021 and is working towards total recovery, adding the duration of stay at Maldivian resorts have increased despite the border restrictions and the geography. He said the government expects the Maldives to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by the time the country celebrates the golden jubilee of Maldivian tourism industry.
At the side-lines of the Tourism Recovery Summit, Minister Mausoom met Zayed Alzayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Bahrain and Chairman of Gulf Air, and discussed on cooperation in the tourism sector and introducing a Bahrain-Maldives dual destination holiday for the European market. Minister Mausoom also met Maribel Rodriquez, Vice President and acting CEO of The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and discussed possible areas of collaboration.
Over 50 speakers from around the world joined the Tourism Recovery Summit, including ministers of tourism, private sector leaders, and civil society organisations. The summit focused on the new era the tourism industry is entering and actions needed to respond to the global challenges, as the sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.