The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) is striving to make Maldives a globally renowned destination for recreational fishermen and sports fishing enthusiasts, the corporation’s Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree has revealed.
Realising the growing global interest for sports fishing, MMPRC is leading the efforts to establish Maldives as a leading destination for recreational fishermen and sports fishing enthusiasts.
As part of these efforts, MMPRC recently held an International Sports Fishing Championship "Burunu Boma", which according to Shiuree has ignited more interest among sports fishing enthusiasts throughout the globe.
"Some of the participants were prominent fishermen who participated as private individuals in the fishing segment. In addition, our ambassador Fly Navarro is a member of the BillFish Foundation. We are informed that they are also interested in conducting sport fishing tournaments,” he explained.
The Burnu Boma tournament was held from 2 to 4 May with nine teams competing across several segments. MMPRC is now planning to expand the tournament as an annual event, with tourism promotion as a key aim.
"We are informed that 50 teams are interested in participating in the tournament. So if this is promoted as an annual event, people will come just for fishing, instead of enjoying our sandy beaches,” he added.
According to Shiuree, such events usually attract high-end tourists. MMPRC appointed Fly Navarro as a sports fishing global brand ambassador to promote the tourism segment last April. The MMPRC will also try to promote the segment through external marketing activities.