Maldives is among the worst hit island nations economically due to the Covid-19 pandemic and cannot afford to keep the country’s tourism industry on a standstill for months, says Tourism Minister Ali Waheed.
The minister made the statement during the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council’s ‘Tourism Webinar’ on Tuesday.
While the Maldivian economy has depended mainly on tourism for the past 47 years, the ministry stressed that the country is among the worst hit island nations economically due to this crisis and that it cannot keep the industry on a standstill for months.
He highlighted the importance of implementing safety and security measures as well as risk assessments maintaining a balance between economic and health impacts.
“We cannot keep our tourism industry on standstill for months. We cannot stay under lockdown for long. We need to come up with post lockdown strategies. Restoring travel confidence with the implementation of safety and security measures and coordinated reopening of national borders, airports and seaports while implementing risk assessments and maintaining a balance between economic and health impacts are key when we restart again. We need to focus on digitalization, innovation and automation. In short, we cannot let the virus stop us. We should come out of this together and stronger than ever"Tourism Minister Ali Waheed
The minister also noted that Maldives is preparing to restart the tourism industry in the third quarter, by July, and that the country requires assistance and support from other countries and regions to do this as the it is among “the most vulnerable nations”.
Waheed also highlighted that the country’s financial institutions have come up “with possible scenarios and adaptable measures to overcome the situation” and that as per this “a U curve rebound” that could pick up Maldives’ economy is predicted “from October onwards”.
He also mentioned a drafteda guidelineto restart tourism “with adequate safety measures” in line with WHO guideline and UNWTO recommendations.
Further noting that Maldives’ tourism industry depends on foreign tourists, the minister said that major tourism activities “are focused for the foreign travellers who consider Maldives as their home away from home”.
Minister Waheed also stressed the importance of seizing opportunities and increasing “local commitment” in the tourism industry, in plans to restart the industry.
“While we live with this pandemic, we need to seize the opportunities. This would be a chance to increase our local commitment in this industry when we restart again. Overall stability and security in the country and in the region is critical for the success of global travel. It is important to rebuild trust and increase cross-sectorial cooperation”
While the minister spoke on the need to restart tourism activities to rebuild the country’s economy, he also stressed that “humanity and people’s lives are on top of [the government’s] agenda”.
Highlighting that the country is naturally blessed with thousands of islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, Waheed emphasized that authorities are “strategically using [the] geographic and demographics [as an] advantage in combating virus”.
He also stressed that the country cannot open borders “at cost of lives”.
