Speaking to inaugurate the Seminar on the Security of Tourism Industry, today, President Mohamed Nasheed said the development of the Maldives depended primarily on the security of tourism industry.
Highlighting the significance of tourism contribution to Maldivian economy, he said the protection of the tourism industry was necessary to realize the progress and stress free lifestyle we desire.
“The government cannot to do anything without protecting the country’s most sustainable and the strongest source of income,” he said.
Therefore, he said, working to ensure security and safety of the industry must be a priority for the whole nation.
The President noted recent incidents of intrusion and robberies at some resorts show the magnitude of the threat to the industry’s security.
He said the tourism industry and the government could protect resorts from such intrusions and burglaries, or build barriers around resorts.
However, he underscored that this did not solve the root cause of the problem that was also the cause of other social problems that prevail in the country.
He identified the root cause of both the current threats to resorts as well as social problems such as gang violence, robberies and other offences as increasing number of unemployed, uneducated and disenfranchised youth in the country.
In his inaugural speech of the seminar, the President urged the participants to also acknowledge and address the real cause of the problem and include in their discussions ways to resolve the issue.
The President also thanked the tourism industry for the opportunities it has provided for many Maldivians and commended their efforts to strengthen the industry.
The two-day seminar organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, Maldives Police Service and Maldives National Defence Force, brings together tourism industry stakeholders to work out a plan to strengthen the security of tourist resorts.
