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Maldives to participate in Berlin Tourism Fair |
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A high level delegation headed by Tourism Minister Dr. Ahmed Sawadh
Ali will participate in the ongoing Berlin Fair, Maldives Tourism
Promotion Board (MTPB) has revealed. Berlin Fair commenced today and is
expected to come to close on the 15 March.
MTPB also revealed that in addition to Dr, Sawad, the delegation
will consists of senior government officials and key stake holders of
the industry. Maldives contingent, participating in the Berlin Fair
which includes participants from some 180 countries, includes 176
participants from 76 parties. According to Deputy Director of MTPB
Mohamed Adam this includes officials from various tourists’ resorts and
hotels, tour operators and airlines serving the tourism trade.
The global economic down turn has drastically affected the Maldives
tourism industry causing a drastic reduction in number of arrivals. In
January alone the number of arrivals saw a 4.8 percent reduction as
compared to January last year. The number of German tourists’ arrivals
came down as much as 10.6 percent.
Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has forecasted 20
percent decline in tourist arrivals this year. The government in order
to offset anticipated decline has launched a major program to woo more
tourist arrivals. In this President Nasheed during his recent visit to
Italy has met with several key Italian tour operators in an attempt to
woo more Italian tourists to Maldives. Some 5000 more Italians ar4e
expected this year as a direct result of President Nasheed’s
initiatives.
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