The Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Fathimath Thaufeeq has shed light on the country’s tourism industry and focus on diversification, and commitment to environmental and economic sustainability.
She highlighted the key focuses of the tourism industry in an interview with BBC.
Highlighting the success of the Maldives tourism industry so far in 2024, Fathimath said, “In the past four months, we have crossed over 25% of our [targeted] tourist arrivals for the year, which is over 500k.”
“[The Maldives] is a lot more than the sun, sea, and sand. We have natural wetlands, we have local experiences through boutique hotels/guesthouses, and we are very much focused on expanding the focus of the tourism industry,” she added.
The more recent shift towards local cultures caters to a wider range of tourists seeking unique experiences, she said, and highlighted the diverse experiences the Maldives offers and the equally diverse range of stay options, from luxurious one-island resorts to adventurous liveaboards, city hotels, and guesthouses.
She also noted that strategies were planned on implementing innovative solutions using data-driven methodologies and new technologies.
“In the long run, we are very focused on building a very sustainable strategy using new technologies and tools over the next 10 years,” she added.