The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has appointed Maldives
Tourism Minister Ali Waheed to the recently established Global Tourism Crisis
Committee.
The crisis committee was formed during a high-level virtual meeting
held by UNWTO on 19th March 2020, which brought together key UN agencies,
the chairs of its Executive Council and Regional Commissions, and private
sector leaders.
The UNWTO-led Committee will hold regular virtual meetings,
reflecting the need for coordinated and efficient action by the private and
public sectors, governments, international financing institutions, and the
United Nations to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism
industry.
"This unprecedented public health emergency has already
become an economic crisis which will come at a social cost", said UNWTOs Zurab
Pololikashvili. The Secretary-General added that tourism "is the hardest hit
sector and all our best estimates have been overtaken by the changing reality".
"Maldives will beat Covid-19 with the support from the rest
of the world and we will welcome you all in a not so far away future." said
Minister Ali Waheed, Chair of UNWTOs South Asia Regional Commission during the
virtual meeting.
The Maldives government has implemented strict measures to
contain the virus in the country, which includes banning of travel between
local islands and resorts as well as tourists checking into hotels and
guesthouses across Maldives.
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