Can Guesthouses and Hotel Operators Help Boost The Sale Of Locally Made Souvenirs?
The island of Mandhoo in Alif Dhaal Atoll is home to about 500 people. Nothing but smiles were seen on their face when a brand new city hotel was opened in the island, named; Fiyavalhu Maldives, situated in the southeast of the island.
Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom participated in the ceremony held for the official opening of Fiyavalhu Maldives. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister highlighted the key role of guesthouses and city hotels in inhabited islands as they account to the development of these islands. They remain as a strong selling point in the tourism industry. Thus, the Minister believes that they could aid local artists residing at such islands crafting souvenir items for sale as this their talent often foreshadowed depriving them of gaining a worthy profit. For this purpose, he humbly requests all parties involved in local tourism, especially guesthouses and hotel operators to facilitate a platform for these people to showcase their work by way of a mutually beneficial partnership.
Local artist partakes in the production of a wide range of items with our culture engraved in them which is usually available for sale at souvenir shops across the nation. As this segment of the tourism industry is a bit disorganized, it is not a strong selling point in our prestigious tourism industry, hence the Minister’s concern.
Accordingly, the Ministry has begun the process of developing souvenir shop operations and one of the first step which is currently in progress is formulating a directory of all souvenir business operators.
Cover Photo: Visit Mandhoo