Maldives Destination development Strategies Towards Green Tourism

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

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19

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Be

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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