Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili has praised the introduction of home-stay tourism in the Maldives. He made the remarks in a joint press conference held with Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, following the opening ceremony of the UNWTO Global Summit on Community-based Tourism.
Speaking at the press conference, Secretary General Pololikashvili said the Maldives has always been known as a luxury tourist destination. However, he said the introduction of homestay tourism makes the destination more affordable to all kinds of tourists. He said the introduction of homestay tourism is an excellent project, as it provides the opportunity for tourists to have a unique experience while enjoying the natural beauty of the destination.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minster Mausoom said the administration is working on diversifying the tourism industry by introducing different types of tourism models. The minister said efforts are also ongoing to reduce the fees imposed on homestay facilities to facilitate further growth of the industry. He said the expansion of homestay tourism would enable local communities to reap more direct benefits from the tourism industry.
Homestay is a popular tourism model where tourists share a residence with a local household in the country they are visiting. The pilot project of homestay tourism in the Maldives was launched in January this year, in Dhiggaru, Meemu Atoll. There are currently two facilities registered as homestay facilities.