- Calls for a strong marketing campaign
- Maldives needs a sufficient budget
- MATATO heads to parliament for budget
Maldivian Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has stressed on the need for a stronger marketing budget to compliment the new resorts opening in the upcoming year.
President of MATATO Abdulla Giyas said in an interview with 'Avas' that more resorts are being opened this year and the following year compared to the last decade, and that the Maldivian marketing needs to improve along with this new development.
"More resorts are being opened within these two years then the entire last decade. New guesthouses are also being opened, and this means that the Maldivian marketing really needs to improve. A good budget is needed to accomplish this," he stressed.
He also said that around 8 million dollars was spent annually for the past decade to market the country.
"It would be difficult to move forward now without improving marketing. Opening more resorts is a good thing for tourists. However, it would be hard to sell those places to tourists without a good marketing budget," he added.
Giyas also said that he is set to meet the political parties, Parliament leaders to pitch an increased budget, and that the MATATO board has decided to lobby the marketing budget at the parliament debates as it debates the state budget for next year.
He also said that Maldives must take part in more fairs, and that the opportunities for Maldivian guesthouses and travel agents must be widened.
Current statistics show that there are 34,000 beds in 110 resorts around the Maldives. Many new resorts will be opened the following month and in the coming year.
