Vice President Faisal Naseem has praised the Bank of Maldives (BML) and American Express for a trailblazing campaign and expressed confidence that the campaign will significantly boost the tourism industry and economy of the Maldives. He made the remarks while speaking at the launch of the third edition of the Experience Maldives campaign, started by BML and American Express to market the Maldives as a top tourist destination internationally.
Speaking at the event held in Kurumba Maldives, Vice President Naseem described the Maldives as a renowned worldwide tropical haven. He stated that one of the country's most distinguishing features is the warm hospitality, which played a major part in the Maldives establishing itself as a high-demand tourist destination. He added that campaigns such as the Experience Maldives campaign offers even more individuals the chance to experience the Maldives.
Additionally, Vice President Naseem shed light on tourist arrivals this year, highlighting over 50,000 recorded arrivals within the first 10 days. He stated that this was a 12.6% increase compared to the same time last year. He also emphasised that the tourism industry has bounced back owing to the government's swift response despite major setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, Vice President Naseem described the campaign as one of the most exceptional tourism initiatives, as it puts the Maldives in a spotlight visible to thousands across the globe. He expressed his confidence that the innovative partnership between BML and American Express would work wonders in diversifying and boosting the tourism industry to new heights. He added that the campaign's outreach was impressive, as it targeted a potential audience of over 100 million American Express customers.
In conclusion, Vice President Naseem stated that the campaign also offers exceptional support for numerous businesses, including 40 properties comprising resorts, guesthouses, and hotels that will be participating in the campaign this year.