News Desk
Malé, Maldives — The Maldives is homing in on India as a crucial source of tourists, aiming to elevate the nation to one of its top three markets by the end of the year. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal, speaking at a press conference at the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) today, unveiled a series of initiatives designed to boost the influx of Indian visitors.
Central to these efforts was the recent “Welcome India Road Show,” conducted in three major Indian cities, which aimed to reinvigorate interest among travel agents who had paused their Maldives operations in recent years.
“We are targeting India as a major source market,” Faisal stated. “With the initiatives we have in place, I am confident that India will rank among our top three tourist destinations by year’s end. We’ve already welcomed 71,000 Indian tourists this year, and with continued efforts, we expect these numbers to soar.”
The government’s broader vision extends beyond India, with an eye on attracting millions of tourists from both India and China annually. To support this vision, the tourism promotion budget has been increased to MVR 20 million. This funding will back special campaigns, featuring Indian influencers and celebrities, to further promote the Maldives as a premier destination for Indian travelers.
In a notable shift from the usual tourism agenda, Minister Faisal revealed that the Maldives is in discussions to host the globally renowned cooking competition, “MasterChef.” Faisal expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the world’s most famous culinary show to the Maldives, a move that could significantly elevate the local hospitality industry.
“We are in discussions with various stakeholders, including resorts, to bring ‘MasterChef’ to the Maldives,” Faisal said. “This show has the potential to inspire our youth to pursue careers in the culinary arts, especially as some of our resorts offer competitive salaries, with chefs earning substantial sums.”
Faisal’s vision extends beyond the kitchen. He emphasized the importance of increasing Maldivian representation in senior roles within the hospitality sector, such as general managers and sales directors. To achieve this, the ministry is developing training programs tailored to local employees, ensuring that Maldivians are equipped to lead in an industry where their country is already a global leader.
“Investing in our people is essential,” Faisal noted. “Rather than sending our youth abroad for training, it’s more practical to develop their skills here in the Maldives, within our resorts. This approach will ensure that our workforce is not only well-trained but also deeply connected to the unique Maldivian brand of hospitality.”
Looking to strengthen the country’s tourism infrastructure, Faisal announced the upcoming launch of financial products by the Bank of Maldives (BML) and the Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB). These new financing options, tailored specifically for the tourism sector, will provide loans at favorable interest rates to support the development of guest houses and hotels across the Maldives.
“Our goal is to ensure that each atoll in the country is equipped to accommodate tourists,” Faisal explained. “We are developing tourism plans for each atoll, aiming to create 6,000 beds per atoll. This will not only enhance our capacity to host more tourists but also distribute the economic benefits of tourism more evenly across the country.”
Meanwhile, the country is preparing for the arrival of Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is scheduled to land in Malé tomorrow. This visit, his fourth to the Maldives, underscores the growing strategic ties between the two nations. Jaishankar will inspect several Indian-funded projects, including the Thilamale’ Bridge in the Malé area and various infrastructure developments in Addu City.
The visit follows Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer’s recent trip to India, where he held talks with Jaishankar. The Indian minister’s visit is particularly significant as it is the first official trip by a senior Indian government official since President Muizzu took office.
Minister Jaishankar’s itinerary includes a courtesy call on President Muizzu and discussions with Foreign Minister Zameer, further solidifying the close relationship between the Maldives and India. The visit will culminate in Addu City, where Jaishankar will review the progress of several Indian-backed projects, including the construction of roads and land reclamation efforts.
As the Maldives looks to the future, these initiatives signal a robust partnership with India, focused on tourism, infrastructure, and human capital development. Minister Faisal’s ambitious plans, coupled with Jaishankar’s visit, underscore the deepening ties between the two nations, setting the stage for a new era of collaboration and growth.
