A tourism symposium is set to take place in Addu City next year, aimed at expanding tourism and employment opportunities in the southern atoll. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal announced this initiative during the launch of Addu’s new tourism brand at Canareef Resort yesterday, underscoring the need to either enhance tourism development or focus on Addu’s unique branding and connectivity with other destinations.
Minister Faisal stressed the importance of increasing awareness among locals about potential tourism opportunities, particularly for the youth, and noted that the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) would spearhead the symposium. The event is expected to draw tour operators, airlines, and online booking platforms from key markets like India and China, creating valuable networking sessions for participants.
“There’s a need for collaborative efforts like this,” said Faisal. “It will be invaluable if all stakeholders come together to build stronger networks.”
Currently, Addu offers around 1,100 tourism beds. However, further development is anticipated, especially as Casa Holdings—an investor in Gan International Airport—has expressed interest in building an additional 130-bed facility in Gan. Minister Faisal emphasized that the government is fully committed to facilitating such expansion projects to help strengthen Addu’s tourism infrastructure and boost the local economy.
The upcoming symposium represents a significant step toward establishing Addu as a more prominent tourism destination, aligned with government efforts to diversify tourism across the Maldives.
