Vice President Faisal Naseem has today inaugurated the “Jazeera Canoe Race” held to celebrate the World Tourism Day.

The race held in Vaavu Atoll is among several festivities planned to mark the occasion on a national scale.

Making the opening remarks, the Vice President said that there are two reasons why tourism should prevail in the country- the beauty of our islands and for the heartwarming hospitality from locals, and urged to ensure that these remain the same.

Recalling 27 years prior, to the time when he first began working in the tourism sector, the Vice President acknowledged the efforts of those who had been involved in the progress of the industry and thanked them for the continued efforts for the advancement of tourism in the Maldives.

The Jazeera Canoe Race was initiated with the women’s category of the competition. Canoe teams paddled their way from Keyodhoo Island to Thinadhoo Island of Vaavu Atoll.

World Tourism Day is celebrated on the 27th of September each year.