Maldives says must work together with Sri Lanka in tourism promotion

Representative of world renowned Shangri-La Hotel chain Madhu Rao and his delegation on Tuesday made a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary Ministry of Finance Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, and Governor of the Central Bank Nivard Cabraal were associated with the President during the meeting - Pic by Chandana Perera

Dr. Mariyam Zulfa, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Maldives was quoted by Miadhu Daily stating that Sri Lanka and the Maldives should work together in promoting tourism rather than competing with each other.

“In my view Maldives and Sri Lanka are not in direct competition with one another because the two destinations represent two very different sets of product types with the two destinations offering different visitor experiences,” she said.

The minister went on to say that the two popular tropical Asian destinations should explore the possibilities of working together as a unit, expressing a globalisation sentiment, and hoped to have the hospitality industries of both countries come to an agreement.

“Visitors coming to the Maldives seek the small island experience with the marine environment at the centre of the visitor-experience whereas visitors coming to Sri Lanka have the scope to enjoy a whole lot more, like shopping, culture, night-life and native flora and fauna,” She was quoted, in Miadhu.

“With the war in Sri Lanka coming to an end, the numbers of visitors travelling to Sri Lanka have increased,” the minister stated.