Guest House Association of Maldives (GAM) is organizing a virtual forum for local guest houses.
GAM represents and acts as a parental body of the local tourism sector. The virtual forum titled 'Guest House Opinion' will be attended by guest house operators, and detailed discussions will take place with the participants during the forum.
GAM has also announced its decision to listen to the concerns of local guest house operators and forward it to the relevant authorities.
The association said the virtual forum will discuss the current challenges faced by the local tourism sector a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Standard Of Procedure to be followed upon the re-opening of the tourism sector will also be discussed at the forum.
Local guest house sector has suffered a significant blow due to the COVID-19 pandemic. GAM recently conducted a survey to assess the damages caused to the sector. According to the survey, the sector will suffer a loss of USD 30 million in six months as a result of suspended tourist arrivals to the Maldives.
The local tourism sector is a significant contributor to the country's tourism industry. Over 600 guest houses were being operated in the archipelago before the COVID-19 pandemic reached the country.
