Tourism Ministry hosts 'Burabi', releases annual publication

Ministry of Tourism on late Tuesday, launched the first volume of its annual publication at the 'Burabi' event held at convention centre Dharubaaruge.

The annual magazine is geared at increasing transparency by allowing the public to keep track of the ministry's activities, including budgetary figures and expenditures.

The event was attended by chief guest Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, a local tourism industry pioneer and Minister at the President's Office Ahmed Naseem, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporations (MMPRC)'s Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed, alongside other state officials and relevant stakeholders of the tourism sector.

According to Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed, Maldives has banked on "our natural blessings, sun, sand and sea" and that endless opportunities exist to diversify Maldives' "tourism product with innovative ideas and strategic policies".

In line with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administrative vision, the minister highlighted their diversification strategy; to incorporate culture, sports, and business without compromising on environmental sustainability.

"Our focus is to promote this enhanced concept of tourism in six major zones within the country as regional destinations with their distinct individual tourism products".

During his speech, the minister revealed the 29 islands declared by the president for tourism development would result in 35,000 additional tourist beds as well as facilitate the creation of over 18,000 jobs.

He further underscored the importance of transparency, good governance and strengthening public confidence - the main targets set by the ministry for 2019. The ministry has held monthly press conferences to disseminate information of its activities.