Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has said that one of the strongest efforts to promote Maldives' tourism will be made next year.
Speaking at the launch of the special logo and branding designed to promote Addu tourism on Friday night, Faisal said that sufficient funds will be provided from the state budget for tourism promotion.
He did not specify how much of the budget would be allocated for tourism promotion and did not disclose details of planned events.
Faisal said 1.6 million tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year and an average of 5,500 people are visiting the country every day. Two million tourists will visit the country before the end of the year, he said.
A tourism masterplan for each atoll
Introducing tourism to undeveloped areas and expanding tourism in other regions is one of the promises of this government.
A tourism masterplan will be formulated for each atoll, Faisal said.
The plan for the next 10 or 15 years will include the target of the number of islands to be developed as resorts in each atoll and the number of beds to be introduced as guesthouses, as well as plans to develop other tourism-related businesses, he said.
Faisal said he also plans to increase opportunities for young people in restaurants, laundry services and water sports centres.
"We can produce results," he said.
Faisal said that efforts are also being made to provide loans worth MVR 100-200 million to expand local tourism, adding that discussions have been held with local banks and some foreign financial institutions.
