Free holiday offered for several Thomas Cook tourists

Tourism Ministry has revealed that some tourists who visited the Maldives through recently-bankrupted travel agency Thomas Cook, have been offered free holidays by local resorts.

Speaking at a news conference held by the Tourism Ministry, Minister Ali Waheed said 804 tourists who booked their holiday through the company were holidaying in the Maldives when the company announced bankruptcy on Sunday.

"We are saddened by the Thomas Cook news. Once we were alerted on the matter, we immediately initiated discussions between the President's Office, Finance Ministry, Economic Ministry, Attoney General's Office and MATI. A help desk has been established in HIH to assist the tourists upon their arrival at the airport", said the Minister.

Minister Waheed said Maldives is known for its hospitality, and assured that the government is working with the tourism industry to ensure that exemplary services are offered to maintain its good name.

"[Thomas Cook] has debts towards several companies. We are keeping track of it. The government is with the tourists and the Tourism Industry at this difficult time. Tourism Industry is tackling the situation together with MMPRC and MATI", Minister Ali Waheed said.

Renowned British global travel group Thomas Cook announced bankruptcy on Sunday, which stranded several tourists who had booked holidays through the company at different destinations. The British government has started an operation to bring back their citizens back to their homeland.

Ali Waheed said while many tourists who booked holidays through the company will be arriving in Maldives in the next 24 hours, Tourism Ministry will be keeping a close watch on the proceedings.

"Yesterday I met a couple who came to the Maldives for their honeymoon after spending 4000 pounds. They were very worried and stressed as they were unsure of what would happen next. However, we are giving assurance that we are working with local resorts [to work out a solution]. The agreements are with Thomas Cook, but the industry is taking the hit. The work the industry is doing is exemplary," Minister Ali Waheed said.

"Instead of leaving them sitting on airport chairs, they [Thomas Cook' tourists] have been sent to HIH, where they are purchasing other packages and traveling to different locations in Maldives", he said.

Noting that Thomas Cook owes payments to several resorts, the important thing is to ensure that the Maldives is a place that the tourists will want to visit for the second time, stressed the minister.

Minister Ali Waheed said although some countries are not sure of what to do next during this situation, Maldives is well prepared for such a circumstance. The ministry has initiated an assessment to identify the affects and loss incurred by the tourism industry due to the issue.

"Thomas Cook is a top tourist agent who has brought many tourists to the Maldives. We will see what effects this will have on our tourism industry and take necessary action on resolving this downfall. We believe this is an opportunity to show how different Maldives is from other countries", said the Minister.