Tourism Minister Dr. Abdullah Mausoom says the developmental gains achieved by the Maldives would help empty its prisons.
He made the comments while talking on a program aired by Sangu TV.
The Minister said that it was disrespectful to resort employees to say that they would be swayed from their religion and culture when they witness how tourists behave.
Dr. Mausoom said their faiths were stronger than that.
The Minister noted that there are those who commit crimes within the society and prisons are made for such people.
He pointed out that with the developmental achievements the country is gaining, the prisons are bound to empty out.
The Minister assured that the tourism sector would not be involved in any detrimental to the society and that the industry would always work for the betterment of the people.
Dr. Mausoom's comments follow heavy criticism aimed at the government for introducing 'Home Stay' tourism to the local islands where people's homes would be opened for tourist visits and stays.
