President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has declared 3 October 2022 a government holiday.
The decision was announced in directive no. 2022/7 issued on the President’s Office website on 14 August 2022.
According to the directive, the decision was made after cabinet deliberations on the matter to commemorate the first National Tourism Day, which coincides with the 50th anniversary since tourism commenced in the Maldives.
The Tourism Ministry has been holding several events in the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the tourism industry including a tourism Appreciation Reception held at Crossroads Maldives last Thursday.
Speaking at that event, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that the Maldivians have always been exemplary in welcoming tourists who visit the country.
He also said that special consideration must be given to maintain the quality of the service and preserve the natural beauty of the Maldivian islands in order to maintain the country’s position in the competitive international tourism markets.
In his speech, President Solih reflected on how the tourism industry flourished in the Maldives and thanked the pioneers of the industry for their hard work and dedication. He also commended everyone involved in the Maldives' tourism industry and expressed gratitude for their efforts.
