Tourism Minister, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has stated that the Finance Ministry has given assurance that the tourism promotion budget for 2021 will not be decreased.
In an interview given to AVAS, Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom confirmed that the Finance Ministry has no plans to decrease the marketing budget for tourism, despite the effect on the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The minister expressed hope that the parliament would approve the budget.
The minister added that efforts must be undertaken to promote small businesses in the tourism sector, including the promotion of local guest houses, popular surf points and other tourism products. The minister further said tourism promotion activities will be carried out together with the tourism industry.
A tourism promotion budget of US$ 3 million have been used for marketing since 2018. This year, the budget was increased to US$ 10 milion, and allocated to Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). However, the industry has stated that tourism promotion entity has not done an adequate job in marketing the country, especially during a time at which extra efforts must be undertaken to build trust in the sector in the midst of a global pandemic.
