The Ministry of Tourism and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives today signed the “GoM-UNDP Reimagining Tourism” project with a focus on the local tourism segment in Laamu Atoll, over a period of 18 months.

Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdullah Mausoom signed the project agreement on behalf of the Maldivian government while UNDP Resident Representative to the Maldives Akiko Fujii signed for the UN Agency.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the project, Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom emphasized the meaningful inclusion of women and youth towards sustainable development of tourism.

Minister Dr. Mausoom and UNDP Representative Akiko Fuji/ Photo: Tourism Ministry

The Minister further highlighted the role of local councils in local tourism planning and development, and the need to incorporate tourism in the land use plans.

UNDP Representative Akiko Fujii spoke about the need to think of a different future for tourism for countries such as the Maldives, belonging to the Small Island Developing States (SIDs) ecosystem.

“The experience of the Maldives with this project, the successes, failures (if any), challenges and lessons learnt will be of much value to other SIDs who also find themselves grappling with challenges similar to the Maldives. I am happy to note that the project contributes to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
UNDP Representative Akiko Fuji

UNDP said that the ‘Re-imagining Tourism’ project will be implemented with a focus on the local tourism segment in Laamu Atoll, over a period of 18 months. The project is funded through UNDP Core Funds under its Rapid Financing Facility and is a part of the global UNDP’s raised commitment to supporting SIDS countries’ COVID-19 sustainable recovery.

Dr. Abdullah Mausoom UNDP News Tourism