President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the tourism industry of Maldives has observed the development of thousands of new job opportunities over the past four year.

The president said this while speaking at the ceremony held to commemorate the first National Tourism Day of Maldives.

As such, the president noted that between 17 November 2018 and 20 September 2022, 33 new resorts and 471 guesthouses had been opened in the Maldives, making 8,385 rooms and 16,783 beds.

This, he said, created thousands of jobs in tourism-related sectors.

Maldives had a total of 166 resorts, three yacht marinas, 13 hotels, 721 guesthouses, four 'home-stay' guesthouses, 147 tourist vessels, and seven registered bare boats by the end of September this year.

Currently, there are 57,436 tourist beds operational across the Maldives.

Shedding light on his administration's efforts to expand tourism, President Solih noted that his policy was to diversify the industry through partnerships with the private sector.

As such, he stated that the aim was to expand tourism throughout the country, adding that the expansion of Hanimaadhoo Airport, Velana International Airport, and Gan International Airport were great achievements.

Further, he shed light on the development of airports, expansion of the seaplane network and efforts to connect the atolls across the country via Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferries.

This he said, will boost opportunities for island tourism.

The president also touched down on how the tourism industry began and flourished in the Maldives, going on to express gratitude to the industry’s pioneers for their endeavors.

President Solih asserted that tourism has become the primary driving force of the economy of Maldives.

Further, adding that every citizen has an individual responsibility to uphold the unique Maldivian qualities that tourists come from far and wide to enjoy, President Solih went on to identify genuine Maldivian hospitality as well as the Maldives' peace and tranquility to be important qualities that tourists value.

The president urged all citizens to be mindful of these values.

The event was attended by First Lady Fazna Ahmed, Vice President Faisal Naseem, senior government officials, tourism industry pioneers and leaders of the sector

The event saw the launching of the Maldives Tourism Awards and the president conferring awards to six individuals.

Further, VP Naseem also presented awards.

October 3 was earlier declared as National Tourism Day, by President Solih, commemorating the opening of the first resort, Kurumba Village in 1972.