Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated Maldivian embassies and diplomatic missions in foreign countries have been undertaking several efforts to promote the Maldives as a tourist destination.
Speaking at a programme aired on PSM News, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ocean Region at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mariyam Midhfa Naeem said the foreign ministry is working with the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and stakeholders of the tourism industry in conducting marketing and promotional activities abroad. In this regard, Midhfa said Maldivian embassies and diplomatic missions in foreign countries have been conducting webinars to provide information on the safety protocols established for tourists in the Maldives in order to build the trust and confidence of tourists. As such, she highlighted the webinars held in the UK, Germany and India by the respective diplomatic missions of the Maldives.
Midhfa further highlighted the importance of re-establishing commercial relations following the COVID-19 pandemic, noting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Maldives cannot survive without establishing commercial relations with international businesses. She noted diplomatic missions are playing an important role in strengthening relations with trade partners and establishing B2B contacts.
The Maldives reopened its borders for tourists on July 15, over three months after borders were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 5,177 tourist arrivals were recorded within the first month of reopening borders.