Moosa Zameer Hassan Deputy Director General. Ministry of Tourism Arts & Culture, Maldives
UNWTO High-Level Regional Conference on Green Tourism
3 May 2012, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Maldives Destination Development Strategies Towards Green Tourism
Presentation Content
Tourism Overview National Development Targets Tourism Policies & Strategies
Maldives Background
Indian Ocean Island Nation
2000+ years history
Settled by fishermen & travellers
1,190 islands in the archipelago
~823 km in length & over the Equator
Population: approx 325,000 (Est. DNP)
International Tourism introduced in 1972
Tourism established as the main economic activity in 10years
Tourism Product
Nature based tourism marine eco-destination
Resort s : 101 islands
Concept “One Island - One Resort”
Extensive reefs and dive sites Abundant Marinelife 1,100 species
of reef fishes & 250+ species of corals
Accommodation Type and Tourist Bed Capacity 2011
Resort Islands, 22,030 , 81.9%
Hotels, 1,603 , 6.0%
Guest Houses, 659 , 2.5%
Vessels, 2,514 , 9.3%
Marina 90
0.36%
Source: Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture , Maldives 2011
Tourist Arrivals & Bed Capacity (Est. 2012)
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,0001
99
0
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Be
d C
ap
acit
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Arr
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Bed Capacity
Tourist Arrivals
Major Markets 2011
China UK Germany Italy Russia France
Arrivals 198,655 104,508 90,517 83,088 63,936 59,694
%Share 21.3 11.2 9.7 8.9 6.9 6.4
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
Europe 57.7%
Asia Pacific 37.5%
Americas 2.5%
Middle East 1.6%
Africa 0.7%
Source: Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture , Maldives 2011
Purpose by Percentage of Visitors 2011
Holiday, 64
Honeymoon, 20
Diving, 10
Business, 2
Wedding, 1
National Development Targets
Promote Blue Economy in the context of Sustainable Development of Island States; environment & vulnerabilities
National Development Targets
National Development Targets
Maldives Carbon Neutral vision for 2020
Reduce electricity emissions by 80%
Target to generate 60% of electricity via solar power by 2020 Remaining 40% by wind and biomass,
diesel remaining as back-up
Maldives lead Cartagena Group of island states/ Dialogue for Progressive Action
GHG reduction Plan
GHG emission reduction and HCFC phase-out by 2020
National Development Targets
Conservation targets Establishment of Biosphere
Reserve
Increase Marine Protected Areas annually
BACF established
CITES adoption by end 2012
National Development Targets
Waste Management targets Establish Sustainable Regional WM Centres throughout
Maldives
1 province in 2012 (ie. 4 atolls, 46 islands and 14 tourist resorts)
Tourism Policies & Strategies
Maldives Tourism Vision
Maldives to be the best example of sustainable tourism development –
A nation with an economically profitable tourism industry in harmony with its; Natural environment Cultural resources Values of people
Tourism Policy Objectives
Sustainable growth & development of the sector Attain equitable distribution Facilitate investment Community inclusion Promote public private partnerships Product & Market Diversification Maintain destination competitiveness
Sector Planning (Strategic & Master planning)
First Tourism Master Plan (1984-1993) Dev concepts, minimal regulations (Laissez Faire Model) & tourism tax levy
Second Tourism Master Plan (1996-2005) Harmonizing dev., Set zoning and expansion targets
Third Tourism Master Plan (2007-2011) Taking tourism to people, equitable tax regime and lease period extension
Fourth Tourism Master Plan (To be formulated in 2012)
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Carrying Capacity Standards for Resort islands Maximum built Area of resort islands
<30% of land area
Minimum 5 linear meters of Beach for each guest room built
Beach oriented rooms and setback from vegetation line required
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Building Standards Building height limited to 2 storey
Conceal of buildings in the natural vegetation
Coral stone use restrictions in building
Restrictions on shoreline obstruction
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Tourism Adaptation to Climate Change By 2013 adaptation measures
identified
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Harmonise Development through Standards
Environmental Impact Assessment mandatory
Restrictions on shoreline obstruction
Waste management facility requirements
Sewage treatment requirement
Groundwater use restriction & Water conservation
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Nature Conservation
Protection of Tourist Dive Sites (33MPA’s)
Species protection, conservation and Research (70 bird sp, whales, dolphins, sharks)
Prohibited fishing from tourist resort islands
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Operational Service Standards Quality controls and standards
Monitoring of tourist facilities
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Self Regulation Technological Solutions
RE (70kW PV power plant, Hybrid systems)
Waste & Water Management
Whale & Dolphin watching guidelines
Whale shark watching guidelines
Corporate Social Responsibility
Maldives Tourism Strategies
Vision to be a Premium Marine Eco-Destination
Green Marketing & Branding
Destination Branding
Green Product Development & Marketing
Thank You