MALDIVES authorites have pleaded with foreign media outlets to be more objective when reporting about the political crisis in the country, saying it was beginning to affect its tourism industry.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb, who was appointed just five days after the country’s president Mohamed Nasheed was forced to resign on February 7 (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 8, 2012), said: “The situation is under control, but there have been alot of bad messages, exaggerated reports and misinformation going out through the international media. This is affecting tourism.”
According to Adheeb, visitors to the Maldives could be assured of safety due to the destination’s “one island, one resort” concept. “No tourist or hotel has been harmed in Male,” he added. “Whichever side (of the conflict) we are on, we know tourism is key and no one wants it harmed. We need to get this message across to the world.”
Regular clashes between Nasheed’s supporters and state elements, though confined to the capital Male, have already precipitated into an increasing number of cancellations from overseas markets.
Maldives Association of Tourism Industry members have so far reported some 500 cancellations, according to its secretary-general, Sim Mohamed Ibrahim.
“There is some concern, with lots of inquiries from China in particular,” he said. “Flights (from China) that are normally 80-90 per cent full are now coming in with only 60 per cent seats filled.”
David Kevan from UK-based CHIC Locations said while the company was still sending clients to the Maldives, they were actively monitoring the situation, “and without doubt it is negative destination publicity”.
Michelle Flake, contracting & marketing manager for Scaevola Travel, an inbound operator that handles the China market, said they were still getting enquiries and bookings on a daily basis.
“When clients ask me (about the situation), I tell them that as a foreigner living in the capital, I am not affected,” she said. “As for clients on a resort, unless they watch the news, they are unlikely to be aware of anything going on in the outside world.”
