The new Tourism Master Plan will reflect a developmental roadmap to guide realistic development of the tourism industry, once it is completed, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The president made this assertion during his speech at the Tourism Day 2019 Gala Night at Crossroads Maldives on Thursday night.

Stating that providing more executive roles for Maldivians in the industry is an essential pillar towards further success in the industry, Solih stressed on the importance of a steady workforce in order to observe evocative national progress.

While this year’s theme is “Tourism and Jobs: A Better Future for All”, Solih highlighted that the theme reflects how significant it is to plan activities in tourism in a way that generates greater economic benefits for the people.

Further, it reflects how closely tourism in “intertwined” with the Maldivian livelihood.

Noting that a minimum wage will be established in 2020, Solih stated that increasing jobs for locals is of paramount importance.

As such, the government intends to increase job opportunities for locals by several folds and especially prioritizes paving employment opportunities for youth, said Solih.

Further, the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) announced by the government on Thursday sheds light on the administration’s commitment to develop the country in five priority areas; Blue Economy, Caring State, Dignified Families, “Jazeera Dhiriulhun,” and Good Governance.

The progress of the tourism industry today was reached through investor confidence built by the restoration of stability in the country following the Presidential Election in 2018, said Solih.