Maldives to celebrate 40th anniversary of tourism industry

The Ministry of Tourism has said that several programs would be conducted to mark the 40th anniversary of Maldivian tourism, on the 3rd of the coming August.

The Ministry said that the most important event would be to mark the international tourism day in the Maldives in “very colorfully”.

Other activities planned for the anniversary include conducting of a special ceremony to welcome the first tourist arriving at the country on the 3rd of August. This event would take place at 00:00 hrs. on that date. The ceremony would include Maldivian cultural items.

Also, for a year starting from 3rd August, every tourist entering the country would have a special 40th Anniversary Entry Stamp put on his or her passport.

Additional items for the anniversary include holding special sessions at the National Museum to provide information to tourists about Maldivian history and heritage, and awareness programs on the reef-system of the Maldives. These programs would be designed to display the beauty of the Maldivian reefs, and increase awareness about the protection of environment including submarine environment and also to dispose garbage in an environment-friendly way.

A special ceremony has also been planned to commemorate the services of some individuals who have greatly helped to develop the Maldivian tourism sector in the past.

Tourism sector contributes most to the Maldivian economy. The industry was introduced to the country in October 1972, with the opening of the country’s first resort in K. Vihamanaafushi. The resort is now known throughout the world as Kurumba Village Maldives.