Maldives requests IDU's support to boost tourism sector

Main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is seeking assistance from the International Democrat Union (IDU), to boost the country’s tourism sector.

The party’s leader, former President Mohamed Nasheed revealed this at a press conference held on Wednesday night, after participating in the ‘Virtual IDU Executive Meeting 2020’ with senior party officials.

Noting that they had requested assistance from IDU member nations to support the Maldives tourism sector, Nasheed said that this includes providing eases to tourists wishing to travel to the island nation.

He highlighted that IDU member nations include Austria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Norway, United Kingdom as well as the United States of America.

Nasheed said that he had requested those representing the IDU members at the ‘Virtual IDU Executive Meeting 2020’ to take the issue to the respective foreign relations committees. They are to reach a decision on this, by Friday.

Highlighting that MDP has been a part of IDU since inception, the party co-founder emphasized on the various assistance provided by the group as well.

While tourism is Maldives’ lucrative industry, it came to a standstill as the country was forced to close borders following the Covid-19 pandemic. Borders were reopened on July 15, after nearly four months, and over 900 tourists visited the island nation within the first 10 days.

The country is even providing discounts to airlines that are resuming fights to the country, from 15 July to 26 March 2021.

Maldives welcomed a record breaking 1.7 million tourist arrivals in 2019, and a two million target was made for 2020. However, following the pandemic, this has been reduced to 850,000.