Indian Tourism Minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma has stated that Maldives is a favored destination for Indian tourists.
He made the statements to journalists after the opening ceremony of the 27th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and Pacific (CAP) and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (CSA) & UNWTO Regional Ministerial Conference on Positioning Tourism in a Wider Socio-economic Context presently being held in Bandos Island Resort.
“Many Indians wish to visit Maldives. I am one of those. When this visit was scheduled, my wife had insisted that she has to be included in the visit,” Dr. Mahesh said.
Dr. Mahesh stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initiated many plans to expand tourism in India, citing that it was vital for empowering women, job opportunities for youth, expanding business and other development works. He added that many Maldivians visit India as well and wished to see this continue.
Dr. Mahesh added that the key concern for Indian tourists was the high prices of Maldivian resorts and said that he wished to see an appropriate solution for this issue.
27th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and Pacific (CAP) and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (CSA) & UNWTO Regional Ministerial Conference starts
27th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and Pacific (CAP) and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (CSA) & UNWTO Regional Ministerial Conference as started in Bandos Island Resort today.
President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Qayyoom was the chief guest of the ceremony.
World Tourism Organization and World Travel and Tourism Council presented an open letter to the President urging to participate in the global movement to expand tourism. UNTWO Secretary General Dr. ThalibRifai presented the letter on behalf of the organization.
Speaking to press, Thalib stated that this conference would be a success, with 18 out of the 24 member states taking part in the conference. He added that additionally, Tourism Ministers of India, Philippines and Malaysia are taking part in the conference. He also added that five additional nations will also join the discussions and noted that this was a success for the conference.
Rifai noted the success of Maldivian tourism and had congratulated on the achievements. He also noted the contributions made by Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb. Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed, cabinet ministers and senior officials attended the ceremony.
Minister Adeeb noted that MATI Chairman Mohamed Umar Manik had taken part in the ceremony and spoke on his pioneering role in the sector. He added that the participation of such individuals in the conference was an indicator of the ties between their contribution, the sector and the Government.
The three day conference will conclude on the 5th of June.
Maldives is a favored destination among Indian tourists: Dr. Mahesh Sharma
