Pioneers' plea to future generations: Work together to maintain Maldives' tourism standing

Tourism pioneers Mohamed 'MU' Umar Manik, Hussain 'Champa' Afeef and incumbent health minister Ahmed Naseem were on a very important visit Thursday evening to Crossroads, not far from capital Male, despite heavy rain, strong winds and bad weather. At a ceremony held by the tourism ministry to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Maldivian tourism, Manik, Afeef and Naseem took to the stage to present a short, but a powerful message to the tourism industry.

It is a long-lasting message they left to the new generation.

"It's not difficult to go to the top, but it's very difficult to stay in first place. Therefore, I would like everyone to work hard to maintain the Maldives's position as the world's top destination," said Afeef, who at the young age of 20 was one of the pioneers of tourism in the country half a century ago. 

Then came Manik's turn. Like Afeef, Manik also requested to protect the tourism industry. He made a plea to the future generations: "I would like to request everyone -- the people in this room who are currently involved in the industry as well as the future generation -- to sustain this industry," Manik said, referring to the youth.

"Those who have been present here today know how tough a job it is [tourism development]... Everyone should give consideration to maintain this industry."

Naseem, who played a key role in bringing the first group of travellers to the Maldives  and showing the world that tourism can be developed in the Maldives, said that the greatest pleasure and satisfaction now is the joy and satisfaction of many Maldivians to have a successful tourism industry for 50 years. He also said that the next challenge is to maintain the success. 

"I would also like to ask everyone to sustain this industry. You have already done this successfully for 50 years with the involvement of a lot of people," Naseem said.

After the message of the three pioneers to the future generations of Maldivian tourism, they thanked successive governments for facilitating the success of the industry.

Afeef said that the successful 50 years of tourism have come with the courage and indomitable efforts of all the successive governments and the entire industry. He said that all of them deserve to be thanked.

Manik also said that the support and cooperation of all governments in Maldivian tourism is immense. However, Manik conveyed special gratitude to the incumbent government. He said that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government has set an example in appreciating those who have served in tourism.

"Successive Maldivian governments have celebrated World Tourism Day. However, we have never before seen the same level of recognition given by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih this year," he said. 

Naseem believes that one of the reasons for the success of Maldivian tourism is that governments have not entered the tourism business and have facilitated the development of the industry. Naseem thanked all governments without any exceptions.

Maldivian tourism is now in the twilight years of its diamond jubilee. The pleas made by the pioneers Thursday evening will serve as an important advice for the next generation of tourism.