Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has stated that the Maldives should be a leading sustainable tourist destination. He made the remark while speaking at an information session on waste management in the tourism industry.
Speaking at the event, Minister Mausoom expressed concern over food scarcity and improper waste management in tourism. He said that a 10-day survey was conducted at Mirihi Island Resort and Royal Island Resort by Dr. Luciana Delgado, Senior Research Analyst at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The purpose of the survey was to examine the waste management systems of the resorts in the Maldives and use the data to analyse and identify the scale of the problem, identify the patterns and understand the impact on the environment and food. The objective of the survey was to establish better food waste management systems in resorts to achieve sustainability.
Additionally, Minister Mausoom said that the tourism industry is undergoing major changes and all resorts are working to establish proper waste management systems. He, however, noted that a desirable solution to the issue has not yet been found as not all types of waste are being managed properly. He noted that food waste has adverse effects on health and the environment.
Furthermore, Minister Mausoom said that the Maldives needs to manage waste properly to become an environmental champion and that promoting food and waste management practices would benefit the tourism industry. He also said that everyone working in the industry should have a stake in establishing sustainability, adding that the survey would provide further guidance on food and waste management. He expressed hope that the Maldives tourism industry can be branded as a sustainable industry in all aspects, especially food and waste management.