Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusan has said that tourists' trust and confidence in Maldives is based on the level of safety and security assured in the country. He went on to say that maintaining safety and security is not solely a government's responsibility. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Safety and Security Conference Maldives 2026, organized by Maldives Association of Fire Security and Safety Industry (MAFSSI), Ihusan said that Maldives' beauty is often the deciding factor for tourists visiting the country, but that their trust is based on the sense of safety offered here. 

Maldives is globally renowned as a leading destination, and the safety and security assured in the country is behind the satisfaction visitors experience through visits here, Ihusan said. 

"So safety is not just a responsibility held by the government or security services. Safety is part of our tourism product. It is also part of Maldives' popularity. Maintaining this is a responsibility of everyone here today," Ihusan told attendees of the conference. 

Minister Ihusan stressed that the concept of safety and security in the tourism industry is evolving. Tourism industry safety no longer boils down to common crimes, he said. 

"We are now talking about fire incidents and accidents. Of marine incidents. Of unprecedented environmental incidents and natural disasters. Of cyber attacks and data breaches. Of online fraud and drug crimes. Of public health emergencies," Ihusan explained. 

Newly emerging trends of crimes and dangers rapidly cross borders and spread from country to country, Ihusan warned. 

"Matters like this pose far greater challenges in an archipelago like ours," Ihusan said. 

Ihusan stressed that collaboration amongst all actors are vital to address incidents that occur in Maldives' resorts, which are geographically scattered across atolls. He encouraged taking proactive preventive measures to avoid incidents instead of reacting and responding afterwards.