Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has stated that the Maldives will launch 'Vaccine Tourism' in the Maldives by the end of the year.
A press conference was held Thursday by the Tourism Ministry along with industry partners to mark one year since the Maldives reopened its borders to tourists. Answering a question posed by AVAS, Minister Mausoom said speaking about vaccine tourism garnered a lot of exposure for Maldives tourism, and that the Maldives will begin to launch the program within the last quarter of the year. He further said vaccine tourism is a strong window that gained exposure for the Maldives across the world.
"This year, we did everything we could do to use public relations to its maximum potential. If any mics or cameras were pointed at us, we happily let ourselves be featured. All industry partners worked in the same manner,' said the minister.
Minister Mausoom said 'Vaccine Trouerism' would be launched as per the schedule and that the government does not consider the move as a business.
"As we have been always, we will start vaccine tourism when all citizens of Maldives receive the vaccine," said Mausoom.
Mausoom added that pensioners and retired tourists will be given priority under the vaccine tourism program. The minister said the program is a way of showing the country's appreciation to tourists for visiting the Maldives during such hard times.
80 percent of resort workers have now received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The minister said he has been informed that most Maldivians would have received the vaccine in August. He further said there are no problems with procuring vaccines.
