Fayyaz pledges legal protection for tourism industry if elected

Former Economic Minister and former Chairperson of the MDP, Fayyaz Ismail, has pledged that his administration would provide legal protection to the Maldives' key economic sectors, with a particular focus on the tourism industry.

Speaking on Sunday's 'Fashaairu' program, Fayyaz stated that foreign investors have lost confidence in the Maldivian government and its political system. He further noted that overcoming these challenges and restoring the lost trust would take a significant amount of time.

Fayyaz stated that tourism is the Maldives' primary industry, noting that it is the strength of this sector that empowers Maldivians to have a voice and demand further advancements today.

Furthermore, he stated that decisions bringing significant changes to the industry should be made in consultation with the sector, and if necessary, a public referendum should be held. He noted that while decisions such as increasing TGST whenever the state requires funds may provide temporary benefits, they would lead to a decline in arrivals and diminish long-term profitability.

If I am elected to office, God willing, we will prioritize tourism as our primary industry. There are those among us who harbor resentment toward the industry’s magnates; however, it is because of the strength of our tourism sector that we are able to sustain ourselves today. It is this industry that gives us a voice and allows us to demand the services and resources we need. This would be true for any industry that serves as the backbone of such an economy. I will, God willing, introduce legal protections specifically for the tourism sector. We must establish a system that prevents a government from dismantling the industry at will, simply because they hold a supermajority in Parliament. We must engage in dialogue with the industry to determine if these protections should be enshrined in the Constitution. For instance, we could mandate that major changes affecting the industry cannot be decided unilaterally without prior consultation with stakeholders. We may even consider requiring a referendum for such significant decisions.

Fayyaz Ismail

Fayyaz further stated that, similar to environmental protection policies, successive Maldivian administrations must safeguard and provide protection to the tourism industry.

Fayyaz stated that the government’s frequent policy reversals shortly after making decisions demonstrate a lack of strategic foresight and an inability to listen. He further noted that the resignation of a senior advisor indicates that internal affairs are being handled poorly. He emphasized that the government has inflicted significant damage on the nation by creating unnecessary problems that should never have arisen.

Highlighting the pivotal role thousands of foreign travel agents play in marketing and selling Maldivian tourism, Fayyaz noted that such government decisions have eroded the country's credibility among these stakeholders. He further stated that there is now a prevailing fear that unpredictable and drastic changes could be imposed at any moment.

Fayyaz stated that such changes do not only harm President Muizzu, but the entire nation as well.