Hussain Afeef (Champa Afeef) has been elected as the new Chairman of the Maldives Association for Tourism Industry (MATI).

Champa Afeef was appointed to the post at the 36th Annual General Meeting of MATI held at Kurumba Maldives today (February 15).

He was previously the Vice Chair of the association. Afeef is a pioneer of the tourism industry in the Maldives and a founding member of MATI.

The post of MAT) Chairman had been vacant following the demise of Universal Enterprises Chairman Mohamed Umar Manik (MU Manik) in August last year.

The number of members of the association has risen to 189 with 24 new members, according to MATI.

MATI plays a key role in formulating tourism policies as an industry stakeholder.

MATI's new Executive Board (2026-2029)

• Chairman: Hussain Afeef
• Vice Chairman: Salah Shihab
• Vice Chairman: Ahmed Nazeer
• Financial Controller: Ahmed Hafeez
• Secretary General: Ahmed Asad
• Deputy Secretary General: Iyaz Waheed

In addition to these members, 13 others were elected as board members.