Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has urged Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), to allot at least 51 percent of beds at Herethere Island Resort, to Maldivian tour operators.
The proposal was made days after MTDC invited both local and international parties to submit proposals to run the resort.In a letter to Mohamed Mihadh, the Managing Director of MTDC, the Association said it was important to open opportunities to local tour operators, in the current downturn faced by the industry.
“While selling the management of a resort owned by a company, where many Maldivians hold shares, it is crucial to include an item in the management contract, making it mandatory to allocate at least 51 percent of beds to local tour operators,” MATATO said in the letter.
Mohamed Maleeh, Secretary General of MATATO noted local tour operators have competitive and minor opportunities in the industry. He also emphasized that MTDC can change the present situation faced by local tour operators.“Even if we look at the situation in Sri Lanka, they give priority to local tour operators.
As many Maldivians hold shares in MTDC, we need to open more opportunities to Maldivian tour operators,” he said. MATATO was formed in mid-2006, when MTDC was developing Herethere Island Resort in Addu Atoll. Since its foundation, the Association has been urging MTDC to allocate more beds of its resorts, to Maldivian tour operators.
www.haveeru.com.mv
0 comments:
Post a Comment