TOUR operators in the Maldives remain confident that the industry is booming, despite recent concerns over rising taxes and whether the destination is over-priced.
Sim Mohamed Ibrahim, secretary general of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, said that the industry, through using strategies such as discounts during the off-season, was well-placed to continue to profit from growing tourist interest. This, despite perceived challenges relating to increasing taxation (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 26).
Ibrahim said there were 327,563 arrivals in the country during the first four months of the year, 16.9 per cent more than the same period last year. Arrivals from Europe formed the bulk of arrivals.
