"Tourism is about interaction, Maldives is a strong destination because we enable this"
The Minister noted that tourism has always been about interaction and stated that Maldives is holding on to this
UNWTO Ministerial Roundtable On Smart Tourism For Sustainable Recovery in Asia and the Pacific
Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has stated that Maldives is a strong destination because the country make sure that human interaction stays.
Minister Mausoom stated this at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)'s Ministerial Roundtable On Smart Tourism For Sustainable Recovery in Asia and the Pacific, held at Crossroads Maldives Resort , on Tuesday June 14, 2022.
Giving his opening remarks at the Ministerial Roundtable, the Maldivian Tourism Minister, highlighted that even though Maldives is celebrating its 50th year of tourism, the start of the industry was very humble and basic.
Noting that tourism has always been about human interaction, he stated that Maldives is holding on to this even with the developments in technology and digitalization. Minister Mausoom stated that Maldives still gives the tourist the opportunity to mingle with the community and keep the human interaction alive , and noted that this is why destinations like Maldives are strong, and why Maldives is a repeated destination among tourists.
Highlighting that digitalization might take away this human to human interaction to an extent, Minister Mausoom stated that these technological advancements can be used to better the tourism industry. As such, he stated that digital information can be used to have personalized conversations with the tourists. Information about the tourist's latest visit to the country can be made available easily, with the latest technology, giving the staff the opportunity to have a personal, close conversation with the tourist, giving them the opportunity to increase human interaction and create a strong bond.
The Minister of Tourism also stated that technology is very important to the Maldives in terms of destination management. Stating that we have to utilize capacity management techniques in the coming years as some very fragile reef systems and surfing points require sustainable monitoring through advanced digital systems.
Stating that Maldives looks forward to using the digital technology to enhance visitor experience and communication with the local communities, Minister Mausoom stated that technology will help the country identify its usage capacity of resources.
The UNWTO's Ministerial Roundtable On Smart Tourism For Sustainable Recovery in Asia and the Pacific, was attended by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Nancy Shukri, Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, Yasuhiro Okanishi, Deputy Minister of Community Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste, of Inácia da Conceição Teixeira, Director, Innovation, Education and Investments of UNWTO, Natalia Bayona, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), Christopher Cocker, Director General of Airports Council International Asia-Pacific (ACI), Stefano Baronci and Senior Executive of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Liz Ortiguera.
