Faisal says to assess revenue decline despite rising arrivals

New tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal and the the new Managing Director of the MMPRC Fathimath Thaufeeg said on Wednesday that they will try to identify the reasons why the increase in the number of tourists coming to Maldives is not reflected in the revenue generated.

The government's tourism target of 1.8 million tourists for this year has been achieved on Wednesday, with the arrival of the 1.8 millionth tourist to the country.

Speaking to reporters after a ceremony to welcome the tourist at the Velana International Airport on Wednesday, Faisal said the number of tourists was increasing but revenue was not increasing.

"We will identify in great detail, we will explore [the reason for the lack of revenue]. We will look at what we have to do and cater to it," Faisal said.

Faisal said he has noticed that resorts and guesthouses are two markets and the way tourists spend their money is different.

“High-end resorts are welcoming very rich, wealthy tourists, especially the Russian market has a very high spending power,” he said.

"Looking at the figures, people who come to guesthouses are backpackers and staying for two or three nights... That could be the difference."

MMPRC's new Managing Director Fathimath Thaufeeg said many things are being planned to further expand advertising of Maldives.

"We are now doing a study and making a strategic plan to explore more markets for Maldives. Our revenue does not reflect the increase in the number of tourists," she said.

"We're going to identify that as well, [including] our branding becoming more globally advertised than it is now and we're trying to research and make a strategic plan."