President Mohamed Nasheed opened the Hotel Asia Exhibition and Culinary Challenge 2010 organised the Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services, this morning.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony held at Dharubaaruge this morning, President Nasheed said tourism industry was one of the most successful industries in the Maldives.

He said the industry has continuously grown and given better returns for investments than any other industry in the country. He said this was “mainly because the government has stayed away from participating in this industry.”

In his remarks the President underscored the importance of diversifying the tourism industry to cater for middle income tourists. He said the industry leaders have expressed their interest in building a mid market tourism targeted at middle income tourists.

“For that end, the government has revised its taxation policies, tendering policies and all the other related issues that hinges upon the development of this industry,” said the President.

The President also spoke on the government’s decision to lease Male’ International Airport.
“We all understand that development of tourism hinges upon a good airport facility. And we all understand how badly our present airport needs renovations and improvement”, he said.

The government awarded the contract for building and operating the new airport to Malaysia Airports Holdings and GMR Group on 28 June 2010.

The President said the development “would bring our airport back to the best standards that is available internationally or anywhere else [in] the region”

Noting the recent improvements in the economic figures including budget deficit and foreign currency reserve, the President reiterated that “the government’s development policies will continue.”

“The government’s programme with the IMF is strong and we are moving forward with the programme. The privatization policy will continue”, he added.

Hotel Asia Exhibition & Culinary Challenge is the biggest ever gathering of Hospitality Industry professionals in Maldives and will attract all levels of decision makers from the industry.

This is the 6th time Hotel Asia Exhibition & Culinary Challenge is held. This year’s exhibition will be held in Dharubaaruge from 5th to 7th July.