Community based tourism will strengthen the country's democracy by meaningful empowerment of local councils atoll councils and city councils, stated the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom.

Minister Mausoom made the statement at the opening of the "UNWTO Global Summit on Community-based Tourism," held at Crossroads Maldives on Wednesday morning.

In his opening statement, the Minister of Tourism of Maldives, highlighted that community based tourism will empower the Women Development Committees and the whole community, especially the women and youth of the communities.

Stating that the tourism diversification and localization project is now well underway, Minister Mausoom highlighted that the country now have hotels and guesthouses in 95 islands. The Minister added that safari vessels and the liveaboard sector of the Maldivian tourism product now sails across all the atolls of the country.

Additionally, he highlighted that travel agents have started including community based tourism products in their offerings.

Minister Mausoom stated that the country is very confident that by the end of 2023, all the communities, all the islands of the Maldives will have established hotels or guesthouses and other tourist facilities.

Minister Mausoom stated that the tourism diversification and localization project is enabling the island communities to be engaged in tourism and related businesses as owners, partners or in employment.

Moreover, the minister highlighted that the community based tourism is protecting and helping the natural environments of the country. He stated that this is helping us achieve sustainable economic benefits of fragile eco systems.

Stating that cultural tourism is reviving in the country along with heritage and eco-tourism, the minister stated that the country is now able to protect the natural reserves of the beautiful islands with eco-tourism.

He further added that gastronomy tourism is helping to capture the diverse tastes of island communities and sports tourism, particularly sea and water sports tourism is linking economic benefits of the tourism to the youth.

The minister, in his remarks highlighted that Maldives is an award winning, present day iconic luxury destination. Stating that Maldives is a successful model of one island one resort, sustainable tourism development, Minister Mausoom said that much of Maldives tourism success can be attributed to strong relationship between the government and the private sector, Maldivian hospitality and the commitment and passion of Maldivian employees who work in the tourism sector.

Minister Mausoom stated that Maldives need to diversify our tourism product without compromising this successful model of one island one resort concept and its merits in our endower to be globally competitive. He expressed appreciation to the vison, direction and guidance of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, to make the Maldives a very successful model of community based tourism.

UNWTO Global Summit on Community-based Tourism is jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Maldives and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The summit would feature discussions on the contribution of community-based tourism to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the accompanying challenges and opportunities.